Lookout Point Dam, located on the Middle Fork-Willamette River in Lane, Oregon, was completed in 1953 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk reduction and other purposes such as hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, navigation, and recreation. The dam, with a height of 276 feet and a length of 3,175 feet, has a storage capacity of 477,700 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 991 square miles. Despite being well-built and maintained, a recent risk assessment identified a moderate risk associated with the dam due to the potential impact of extreme events like earthquakes or heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding downstream affecting urban and rural communities.

To reduce the risk to acceptable levels, the US Army Corps of Engineers has implemented interim risk reduction measures, such as reducing the maximum conservation pool of the reservoir and conducting a modification study to address potential vulnerabilities in the spillway gates. Routine inspections, instrumentation for monitoring dam performance, and post-earthquake procedures are in place to ensure the dam's safety. Additionally, the Emergency Action Plan for Lookout Point Dam has been updated based on the latest risk assessment results, and outreach efforts have been intensified to raise awareness among the local community about flood risks and emergency response procedures. The ongoing efforts aim to enhance the resilience of the dam and safeguard downstream populations in case of extreme events.