Chapman Upper dam
Chapman Upper
Chapman Upper, located in Malheur, Oregon, is a privately owned irrigation dam completed in 1948 on Granite Creek, a tributary to the Malheur River. This earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 223 acre-feet over its 8.17-acre surface area. The dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation in the region and is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, Chapman Upper is a vital water resource infrastructure in the area. The dam's inspection frequency is every 6 years, with the last inspection conducted in May 2016. In case of emergencies, the dam is equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate for controlled water release. Although there are no associated structures with the dam, its presence plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and water management in the Riverside region.
As a significant component of the water supply system in Malheur County, Chapman Upper showcases the importance of sustainable water resource management for irrigation purposes. With its historical completion in 1948 and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Oregon Water Resources Department, this dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource development, climate resilience, and agricultural sustainability in the region. The infrastructure's role in supporting the local economy and ecosystem highlights the interconnectedness of water resources and climate considerations for a thriving community like Riverside.
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 Chapman Upper -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Malheur R Be Warmsprings Res Nr Riverside Or | 0 cfs | → |
| North Fork Malheur River At Beulah Or | 1 cfs | → |
| Owyhee River Below Owyhee Dam Or | 158 cfs | → |
| Owyhee River Nr Rome Or | 91 cfs | → |
| Malheur River Below Nevada Dam Near Vale Or | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chapman Upper.
Track Chapman Upper 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 Chapman Upper
Where does the data for Chapman Upper 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 Chapman Upper.