Palmer Reservoir dam
Palmer Reservoir
Palmer Reservoir, located in Crook, Oregon, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for irrigation purposes. The earth dam, standing at a height of 27 feet with a structural height of 37 feet, was completed in 1959 and has a storage capacity of 316 acre-feet. With a surface area of 22.1 acres and a drainage area of 1.55 square miles, the reservoir is fed by Beaver Creek and has a maximum discharge capacity of 450 cubic feet per second.
The reservoir's low hazard potential and "Not Rated" condition assessment indicate its overall stability and safety. It is inspected every 6 years, with the last inspection conducted in October 2019. The outlet gates consist of a slide (sluice gate) for water release. Situated within the Portland District, Palmer Reservoir plays a vital role in the local irrigation system, supporting agricultural activities in the region. The reservoir's strategic location in Paulina, Oregon, demonstrates its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
As a key water resource infrastructure in Oregon, Palmer Reservoir contributes to the sustainability of agricultural practices in the area. Its presence along Beaver Creek underscores the significance of efficient water storage and management for irrigation purposes. Despite its low hazard potential, regular inspections and maintenance ensure the reservoir's continued functionality and safety for both the environment and surrounding communities. With its rich history dating back to 1959, Palmer Reservoir remains a crucial component of the region's water supply and climate adaptation strategies.
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 Palmer Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| John Day River Near John Day | 119 cfs | → |
| John Day River At Service Creek | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Bridge Cr Abv Coyote Canyon Nr Mitchell | 3 cfs | → |
| North Fork John Day River At Monument | 791 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Palmer Reservoir.
Track Palmer 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 Palmer Reservoir
Where does the data for Palmer 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 Palmer Reservoir.