Rock Creek (Wasco) dam
Rock Creek (Wasco)
Rock Creek (Wasco) is a vital water resource in Oregon, serving the local community for irrigation purposes since its completion in 1947. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 51 feet and has a storage capacity of 1500 acre-feet. The dam spans 780 feet across and has a normal storage level of 1280 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 106 acres.
Located in Tygh Valley, Wasco County, Rock Creek (Wasco) regulates water flow from Rock, North Fork Gate, and Threemile streams, with a maximum discharge capacity of 904 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment as of October 2020 was deemed fair. It is subject to regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement by the Oregon Water Resources Department, ensuring its continued operational safety and efficiency.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the strategic importance of Rock Creek (Wasco) in supporting agricultural activities in the region. With its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts, highlighting the significance of sustainable infrastructure for adapting to changing climate conditions. As a key component of the local water supply system, Rock Creek (Wasco) stands as a testament to effective collaboration between state agencies and local government in safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Rock Creek (Wasco) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek | 35 cfs | → |
| Oak Grove Fork Near Government Camp | 71 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs River Near Kahneeta Hot Springs | 232 cfs | → |
| Columbia River At The Dalles | 146,000 cfs | → |
| Oak Grove Fork Above Powerplant Intake | 296 cfs | → |
| Bull Run River At Lower Flume Nr Brightwood | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Creek (Wasco).
Boat launches
- Rock Creek Campground
- Pine Hollow Reservoir South Shore
- Badger Lake
- Wapanitia Primitive North Launch
- Wapanitia Primitive South Launch
- Long Bend Primitive North Launch
Campgrounds
- Rock Creek Reservoir Campground
- Rock Creek Reservoir
- Bonney Crossing Campground
- Bonney Crossing
- Little Badger Campground
- Little Badger
Paddle runs
- Lower Deschutes (Sherars Falls To Columbia River)
- Salmon River Canyon (Split Falls To Road Access)
- Confluence Clear And Coe Creeks To Mt. Hood Nf Boundary
- Welches Run
- Mt. Hood Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Sandy River
- Timothy Lake Dam To Slackwater Of Harriet Lake
Track Rock Creek (Wasco) 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 Rock Creek (Wasco)
Where does the data for Rock Creek (Wasco) 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 Rock Creek (Wasco).