Squaw Lake Dam dam
Squaw Lake Dam
Squaw Lake Dam, located in Jackson County, Oregon, was completed in 1957 by the USDA Forest Service for the primary purpose of water supply. The dam stands at 34 feet high with a hydraulic height of 26 feet, constructed mainly of earth and buttress stone. The dam spans 180 feet in length and is situated on Squaw Creek, contributing to the local ecosystem by providing fish and wildlife pond habitats.
Managed by the Forest Service, Squaw Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, posing potential risks to the surrounding area in case of emergencies. In 2000, the dam underwent structural modifications to ensure its continued safety and functionality, with the last inspection conducted in May 2019. Despite its condition being labeled as "Not Rated," the dam serves as a crucial water resource for the region, supporting various conservation efforts and water supply needs.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Squaw Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure and management. With its historical significance and environmental impact on Squaw Creek, the dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance water supply needs with wildlife conservation. As a federal project owned and regulated by the Forest Service, Squaw Lake Dam exemplifies the complexities and responsibilities involved in maintaining critical water infrastructure in a changing climate landscape.
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 Squaw Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Applegate River Near Copper | 152 cfs | → |
| Star Gulch Near Ruch | 0 cfs | → |
| Applegate River Near Applegate | 147 cfs | → |
| Klamath R Nr Seiad Valley Ca | 1,950 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 5 cfs | → |
| East Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squaw Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- French Gulch
- Hart-Tish Boat Ramp
- Copper Ramp
- E. Brown Bear River Access
- G. Rocky Point River Access
- I. Portuguese Creek River Access
Campgrounds
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Squaw Lakes
- Stringtown Campground
- Harr Point
- Harr Point Campground
- Tipsu Tyee
Fishing spots
Track Squaw Lake Dam 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 Squaw Lake Dam
Where does the data for Squaw Lake Dam 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 Significant 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 Squaw Lake Dam.