Fish Lake dam
Fish Lake
Fish Lake in Oregon is a captivating water resource managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation purposes. This rockfill dam, completed in 1907, stands at a height of 46 feet with a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 50 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 9,397 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 415 acres and serving a drainage area of 24 square miles.
Located in Jackson County, Fish Lake is situated along Little Butte Creek and offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. With a spillway width of 311 feet and a maximum discharge of 1,700 cubic feet per second, the dam's high hazard potential is mitigated through regular inspections and risk assessments. The dam underwent modifications in 1997 to enhance its hydraulic, seismic, and structural integrity, ensuring the safety and reliability of this vital water resource for the surrounding community.
Fish Lake's rich history and ongoing management by the Bureau of Reclamation make it a significant landmark in Oregon's water infrastructure landscape. With its multiple purposes and strategic location, Fish Lake continues to play a crucial role in flood control, water supply, and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Its engineering design, operational efficiency, and regulatory oversight contribute to the sustainable utilization of this valuable water resource amidst changing climate conditions and evolving water management practices.
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 Fish Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Blw Ashland Creek At Ashland | 46 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rogue River Near Prospect | 97 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile Cnl At Dike Rd Br | 53 cfs | → |
| East Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 4 cfs | → |
| Klamath River Blw John C.Boyle Pwrplnt | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Wood River Near Klamath Agency | 364 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fish Lake.
Boat launches
- Fish Lake Boating Site
- Sunset Campground
- Wildcat Campground
- Rocky Point Ramp
- Odessa Campground
- Mountain View Boat Ramp & Dock
Campgrounds
- Big Elk Guard Station
- Doe Point
- Doe Point Campground & Day Use
- Doe Point Campground #23
- Willow Prairie Cabin
- Daley Creek
Track Fish Lake 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 Fish Lake
Where does the data for Fish Lake 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 High 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 Fish Lake.