Siltcoos Lake dam
Siltcoos Lake
Siltcoos Lake in Oregon is a privately-owned reservoir with a gravity dam completed in 1964 for various purposes. The dam stands at 14 feet high and stretches 130 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 15,070 acre-feet of water. With a surface area of 3,585 acres and a drainage area of 50 square miles, Siltcoos Lake plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the state regulatory agency OWRD, Siltcoos Lake has a low hazard potential and is inspected every 6 years for safety. The dam features slide gates for water release and is situated along the Siltcoos River, with no downstream settlements to worry about in case of emergencies. Despite not being currently rated for condition assessment, the lake continues to provide vital water resources and recreational opportunities for enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
With a notable presence in a pristine natural setting, Siltcoos Lake offers a glimpse into the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, this reservoir serves as a valuable asset in understanding and adapting to the challenges ahead. From its historical construction to its current state of regulation, Siltcoos Lake remains a focal point for water enthusiasts and climate activists seeking to protect and preserve our vital natural resources.
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 Siltcoos Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Siuslaw River Near Mapleton | 516 cfs | → |
| Umpqua River Near Elkton | 1,860 cfs | → |
| East Fork Lobster Creek Near Alsea | 5 cfs | → |
| Long Tom River Near Noti | 62 cfs | → |
| Alsea River Near Tidewater | 462 cfs | → |
| Little Wolf Creek Near Tyee | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Siltcoos Lake.
Boat launches
- Carter Lake Campground
- Nightingale's Fish Camp
- Cleawox Lake Boat Launch Lane County
- Oregon Coast Highway Douglas County
- Tahkenitch Landing &Amp; Boat Ramp
- Elbow Lake Recreation Area
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- East Section Line Of Ne1/4se1/4 Of Sec 16, T21s, R10w To Confluence With Smith River
- Confluence With Jump Creek To East Section Line Of Sec 36, T19s, R10w
- East Section Line Of Sec 36, T19s, R10w To South Section Line Of Sec 32, T19s, R10w
- Eastern Siuslaw Nf Boundary To East Section Line Of Ne1/4se1/4 Of Sec 16, T21s, R10w
- Eastern Siuslaw Nf Boundary To Confluence With Jump Creek
- Confluence Of Lake Creek To Launch Site At Wildcat Creek
Track Siltcoos Lake 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 Siltcoos Lake
Where does the data for Siltcoos Lake 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 Siltcoos Lake.