Schmidt dam
Schmidt
Schmidt, Howard Reservoir in North Plains, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Built in 1969 for recreational purposes, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 34 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2.64 acres and a drainage area of 0.22 square miles, the reservoir serves as a tranquil getaway for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Situated along the East Fork McKay Creek, this reservoir offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's low hazard potential and not rated condition assessment ensure its safety for recreational activities. Equipped with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gate, the reservoir's last inspection was conducted in October 2018 with a regular inspection frequency of 6 years. While the emergency action plan status and risk assessment details are not provided, the reservoir's impact on the local ecosystem and water supply in Washington County, Oregon, remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Overall, Schmidt, Howard Reservoir is a valuable recreational asset in the region, providing a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts while also serving as a water storage facility. Its history, design features, and regulatory oversight by the Oregon Water Resources Department make it a fascinating subject for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience. The reservoir's contribution to the local ecosystem and its role in supporting outdoor recreation activities underscore the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Schmidt -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Dairy Creek Near Meacham Corner | 21 cfs | → |
| Columbia Slough At Portland | 580 cfs | → |
| Burnt Bridge Creek Near Mouth At Vancouver | 37 cfs | → |
| Fanno Creek At 56th Ave | 0 cfs | → |
| Tualatin River Near Dilley | 96 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Portland | 17,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schmidt.
Boat launches
- Happy Rock Moorage Inc.
- Big Oak Marina
- Sauvie Island Boat Ramp
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
- Haldman Pond Hand Launch
- Northwest Oak Island Road 25499, Portland
Campgrounds
- Brooke Creek Hike-In Camp
- L. L. Stub Stewart State Park
- Scaponia County Park
- Vernonia Lake Primative Campground
- Paradise Point State Park
- Anderson City Park
Track Schmidt 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 Schmidt
Where does the data for Schmidt 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 Schmidt.