Cougar Dam, located on the South Fork McKenzie River in Oregon, was completed in 1963 by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk reduction. This rockfill dam stands at 473 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 220,000 acre-feet. However, a recent risk assessment has identified the dam's hazard potential as high, particularly in the event of an extreme earthquake that could lead to overtopping and potential failure.

To address this risk, the USACE is conducting advanced risk assessments and evaluating seismic performance to determine necessary risk reduction measures. Routine inspections, instrumentation for monitoring dam performance and seismic activity, and emergency response plans are all in place to mitigate potential impacts. With the large downstream population at risk, ongoing efforts to increase community awareness and preparedness for potential flooding events are crucial for ensuring the safety of residents in Eugene, Springfield, and surrounding areas.