Fred Scott Reservoir dam
Fred Scott Reservoir
Fred Scott Reservoir, located in Nyssa, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource primarily used for irrigation purposes. The reservoir, completed in 1921, has a dam height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet. Situated on Indian Ford Creek, the reservoir covers a surface area of 102 acres and has a drainage area of 34.5 square miles. With a maximum discharge rate of 960 cubic feet per second, the reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Despite its age, Fred Scott Reservoir has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. The reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement all in place to ensure its safe operation. While the reservoir has not been modified in recent years, it undergoes regular inspections every six years to assess its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. With its strategic location and reliable water supply, Fred Scott Reservoir continues to be a key asset in the irrigation infrastructure of Malheur County.
Managed by a private owner, Fred Scott Reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in the arid landscape of eastern Oregon. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, reservoirs like Fred Scott play a vital role in sustaining agricultural productivity and community livelihoods. With its historical significance and ongoing operational oversight, Fred Scott Reservoir remains a valuable asset in the region's water management efforts, ensuring a reliable water supply for agricultural purposes while balancing environmental and regulatory considerations.
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 Fred Scott Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Owyhee River Nr Rome Or | 101 cfs | → |
| Ef Owyhee River At Crutcher Crossing | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fred Scott Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Rome Launch-Site
- Rome Access
- Antelope Reservoir
- Three Forks Launch Site
- Fenwick Ranch Road Malheur County
Campgrounds
Track Fred Scott Reservoir 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 Fred Scott Reservoir
Where does the data for Fred Scott Reservoir 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 Fred Scott Reservoir.