Sparks dam
Sparks
Sparks is a Federal-owned dam located in Bend, Oregon, along Soda Creek. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, this Earth dam serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife pond, irrigation, and recreation. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 130 feet, Sparks provides a storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 250 acres and draining an area of 36 square miles.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment, Sparks has not been rated for its condition. Last inspected in July 2017, with an inspection frequency of 10 years, its emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unclear. With uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, the dam lacks certain safety features, raising concerns about its overall resilience and ability to withstand potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the story of Sparks presents an opportunity to explore the intricacies of dam management and the delicate balance between environmental conservation and human recreation. As a key player in the local ecosystem, ensuring the safety and sustainability of Sparks will be crucial for protecting the surrounding wildlife and water resources, while also providing recreational opportunities for the community. With ongoing assessments and potential upgrades, Sparks represents a vital piece of the puzzle in managing Oregon's water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Sparks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mckenzie R Blw Trail Br Dam Nr Belknap Springs | 726 cfs | → |
| Mckenzie River Bl Payne Cr | 215 cfs | → |
| So Fk Mckenzie River Abv Cougar Lake Nr Rainbow Or | 292 cfs | → |
| Smith River Abv Trail Brdg Resv Nr Belknap Springs | 7 cfs | → |
| South Fork Mckenzie River Near Rainbow | 327 cfs | → |
| Smith R Ab Smith R Res Nr Belknap Sprgs | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sparks.
Boat launches
- Sparks Lake Boating Site
- Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail Deschutes County
- Elk Lake Campground 99, Deschutes County
- Hosmer Lake Boating Site
- Cascade Lakes Highway Deschutes County
- Lava Lake Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Soda Creek
- Soda Creek Campground
- Devils Lake Campground
- Todd Lake Campground
- Mallard Marsh Campground
- Little Fawn Campground
Track Sparks in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Sparks
Where does the data for Sparks come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Sparks.