Bull Prairie Reservoir dam
Bull Prairie Reservoir
Bull Prairie Reservoir, located in Grant County, Oregon, is a state-owned recreational water body managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Built in 1961, this earth dam reservoir on Wilson Creek offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a dam height of 47 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 168 acre-feet, this reservoir covers a surface area of 24.5 acres and serves multiple purposes, including fish and wildlife conservation and recreation.
Situated in a picturesque location in Monument, Oregon, Bull Prairie Reservoir boasts a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its age, this reservoir continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors looking to engage in various recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. With its serene surroundings and abundant natural beauty, Bull Prairie Reservoir is a must-visit destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Oregon's wilderness.
Managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department, Bull Prairie Reservoir remains a well-maintained and regulated water body that upholds state jurisdiction and permitting requirements. While it may not have a spillway or outlet gates, this reservoir's construction and operation are overseen by state agencies to ensure public safety and environmental protection. As a vital part of Oregon's water resource infrastructure, Bull Prairie Reservoir stands as a testament to the state's commitment to sustainable water management and conservation efforts in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Bull Prairie Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork John Day River At Monument | 509 cfs | → |
| John Day River At Service Creek | 757 cfs | → |
| M Fk John Day R At Ritter | 82 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Abv Willow Cr Lake | 13 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek At Heppner | 21 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek At Morgan Street | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bull Prairie Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Bull Prairie Campground
- Spray Riverfront Park
- Monument River Park
- Wooden Bridge River Access
- Mule Shoe
- Penland Lake
Campgrounds
- Bull Prairie Lake Campground
- Morrow County Ohv Park
- Big Bend Recreation Site
- Lone Pine Campground
- Ditch Creek Guard Station
- Muleshoe Recreation Site
More reservoirs
Track Bull Prairie 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 Bull Prairie Reservoir
Where does the data for Bull Prairie 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 Bull Prairie Reservoir.