Wirth Reservoir dam
Wirth Reservoir
Wirth Reservoir, located in Keating, Oregon, is a privately owned dam on Big Creek primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1966, this earth dam stands at 36 feet high and spans 545 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.4 acres. The reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
With a low hazard potential, Wirth Reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, supporting agricultural activities through irrigation. The dam's design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflects a commitment to sustainable water management practices. Despite not being rated for its condition assessment, the reservoir's consistent storage capacity and limited risk make it an essential component of the local water infrastructure.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Wirth Reservoir's role in supporting agriculture in Baker County, Oregon. Its location on Big Creek and the presence of regulatory oversight by the state underscore the importance of responsible water resource management. As part of the Portland District, the dam represents a harmonious balance between human water needs and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Wirth Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minam River Near Minam | 724 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Hells Canyon Dam Id-Or State Line | 19,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wirth Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- North Fork Catherine Creek Campground
- Catherine Creek
- Two Color
- Two Color Campground
- West Eagle Meadow Campground
- West Eagle
Paddle runs
- Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Eagle Crek
- Headwaters To Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Van Patten Creek
- Headwaters (Just North Of Confluence Of Mf Five Points Creek) To Wallowa-Whitman Nf Boundary
- Hells Canyon (Hells Canyon Dam To Pittsburg Landing)
Track Wirth 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 Wirth Reservoir
Where does the data for Wirth 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 Wirth Reservoir.