Kauer Reservoir dam
Kauer Reservoir
Kauer Reservoir, located in Yamhill, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource utilized primarily for irrigation purposes. The reservoir, completed in 1968, boasts a dam height of 35 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 116 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 12.8 acres, Kauer Reservoir plays a vital role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Situated along the South Yamhill River tributary, Kauer Reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, ensuring proper permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures are in place. The reservoir features an outlet gate system for water release and has a low hazard potential with a condition assessment that is currently not rated. The last inspection took place in February 2016, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 6 years to assess its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kauer Reservoir provides a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and natural resource management. Its strategic location, reliable water storage capacity, and commitment to regulatory compliance make it a valuable asset for sustainable water use in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and usage patterns, reservoirs like Kauer play a crucial role in ensuring water security for agricultural and community needs.
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 Kauer Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Yamhill River At Mcminnville | 310 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Newberg | 10,700 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Salem | 10,500 cfs | → |
| Zollner Creek Near Mt Angel | 320 cfs | → |
| Pudding River Near Woodburn | 159 cfs | → |
| Pudding River At Aurora | 308 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kauer Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Kauer 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 Kauer Reservoir
Where does the data for Kauer 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 Kauer Reservoir.