Oxbow dam
Oxbow
Oxbow is a privately owned dam located on the Snake River in Oxbow, Oregon. Built in 1961, this rockfill dam stands at an impressive height of 204 feet and serves primarily for hydroelectric power generation. With a normal storage capacity of 58,386 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,150 acres, Oxbow Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Oxbow Dam is a key structure for both hydroelectric power and recreational activities. The dam, with a controlled spillway and three Tainter (radial) gates, also has a high hazard potential, leading to a very high risk assessment. Despite its importance, the condition assessment of the dam is currently unavailable, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding community and environment.
With its strategic location and significant impact on the Snake River watershed, Oxbow Dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As discussions around dam safety and modernization continue, the future of Oxbow Dam will be crucial in balancing the needs of energy production, water management, and environmental conservation in the region.
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 Oxbow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River At Hells Canyon Dam Id-Or State Line | 19,200 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 420 cfs | → |
| Nf Payette River At Mccall Id | 825 cfs | → |
| Little Salmon River At Riggins Id | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Imnaha River At Imnaha | 150 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Payette River Ab Jumbo Cr Nr Mccall Id | 529 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oxbow.
Boat launches
- Oxbow Boat Launch
- Copperfield Boat Launch
- Bob Creek
- Hells Canyon Road Adams County
- Carters Old Boat Launch
- Copper Creek Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Copperfield Park
- Hells Canyon Park - Hells Canyon National Rec Area
- Mccormick Park - Hells Canyon National Rec Area
- Mccormick Park
- Mccormick Campgrounds
- Lafferty Campground
Track Oxbow 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 Oxbow
Where does the data for Oxbow 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 Oxbow.