Wallowa Lake in Oregon is a picturesque reservoir formed by a concrete dam completed in 1931 primarily for irrigation purposes. The dam stands at 39 feet high, with a hydraulic height of 37 feet and a structural height of 40 feet. It has a storage capacity of 49,257 acre-feet, serving as a vital water source for the surrounding area. The lake covers a surface area of 1,530 acres and is fed by the Wallowa River, with a drainage area of 53 square miles.

Despite its essential role in water supply and irrigation, Wallowa Lake poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment, indicating the need for maintenance and potential improvements. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 3,420 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of this critical water infrastructure. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Wallowa Lake's engineering and environmental significance intriguing, as it intersects with issues of water management, conservation, and climate resilience in the region.