Traverse Lake Reservoir dam
Traverse Lake Reservoir
Traverse Lake Reservoir in Union, Oregon, is a privately-owned water resource designed primarily for irrigation purposes. The rockfill dam, completed in 1922, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. Situated on West Eagle Creek, the reservoir covers a surface area of 17 acres and serves the surrounding agricultural community with a maximum discharge of 80 cubic feet per second.
With its low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Traverse Lake Reservoir plays a crucial role in water management in the region. The dam features slide gates for outlet control and is inspected every 6 years to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with regulatory standards set by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Despite being privately owned, the reservoir's importance in supporting irrigation in the area underscores the significance of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts.
Located within the Walla Walla District, Traverse Lake Reservoir's strategic position and historical significance make it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its modest dimensions and regulated state jurisdiction, this reservoir contributes to the sustainable use of water for agricultural purposes while also highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Traverse Lake Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minam River Near Minam | 724 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Hells Canyon Dam Id-Or State Line | 19,200 cfs | → |
| Imnaha River At Imnaha | 150 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 441 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Traverse Lake Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Balm Creek
- Wallowa Lake State Park
- Fish Lake Campground
- Thief Valley
- Wallowa Lake County Park
- Wolf Creek Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary
- Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Eagle Crek
- Headwaters To Confluence With Van Patten Creek
- Hells Canyon (Hells Canyon Dam To Pittsburg Landing)
- Headwaters (Just North Of Confluence Of Mf Five Points Creek) To Wallowa-Whitman Nf Boundary
- Joseph Creek
Track Traverse Lake 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 Traverse Lake Reservoir
Where does the data for Traverse Lake 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 Traverse Lake Reservoir.