Arthur R. Bowman dam
Arthur R. Bowman
Arthur R. Bowman, also known as Prineville Dam, is a federal structure owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation in Oregon. Completed in 1960, this earth dam on the Crooked River serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction and irrigation. With a height of 245 feet and a storage capacity of over 255,000 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Located in Crook County, Oregon, the Arthur R. Bowman Dam is situated in a strategic position to control the flow of the Crooked River and provide essential water services to the surrounding area. With a spillway width of 20 feet and a hazard potential rated as high, the dam undergoes regular inspections and has undergone modifications in 2011 to enhance its hydraulic and structural integrity. Despite its age, the dam continues to be a vital asset for water resource management and flood control in the region.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, the Arthur R. Bowman Dam has a risk assessment rating of moderate and has emergency action plans in place to ensure the safety of downstream communities in case of a potential breach. With its impressive structural height, storage capacity, and historical significance, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Arthur R. Bowman -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Blw Osborne Canyon | 94 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Below Opal Springs | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Culver | 554 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Madras | 3,660 cfs | → |
| Bridge Cr Abv Coyote Canyon Nr Mitchell | 2 cfs | → |
| Metolius River Near Grandview | 1,280 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Arthur R. Bowman.
Boat launches
- Powder House Cove
- County Ramp
- Prineville Reservoir State Park
- Roberts Bay East
- Jasper Point
- Prineville Reservoir Resort
Campgrounds
- Big Bend Campground
- Poison Butte Campground
- Post Pile Campground
- Cobble Rock Campground
- Lower Crooked River
- Palisades Day Use Area
Track Arthur R. Bowman 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 Arthur R. Bowman
Where does the data for Arthur R. Bowman 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 High 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 Arthur R. Bowman.