Lost River Diversion dam
Lost River Diversion
Lost River Diversion, located in Klamath, Oregon, is a significant federal water infrastructure project managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1912, this concrete dam on the Lost River serves primarily for irrigation purposes, providing essential water resources for agricultural activities in the region. With a height of 41 feet and a length of 675 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 2300 acre-feet and plays a crucial role in water management in the area.
The Lost River Diversion is a key component of the Bureau of Reclamation's operations, with responsibility for design, construction, regulation, inspection, and operation falling under the agency's purview. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed as in good condition. However, details regarding emergency preparedness, risk assessment, and management measures are not readily available. The dam's location in a remote area and lack of updated emergency action plans raise questions about its resilience to potential climate-related challenges.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Lost River Diversion presents an intriguing case study in the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and climate change. Understanding the history, design, and current condition of this vital irrigation structure sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing water resource management in the face of evolving climatic conditions. As discussions around sustainable water use and infrastructure resilience continue, the Lost River Diversion serves as a valuable example of the complexities involved in ensuring water security for agricultural communities in a changing climate.
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 Lost River Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Canal At Highway 97 | 24 cfs | → |
| Link River At Klamath Falls | 1,430 cfs | → |
| Ady Canal At Highway 97 | 24 cfs | → |
| Klamath Straits Drain Near Worden | 1 cfs | → |
| Klamath River At Keno | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Klamath River Blw John C.Boyle Pwrplnt | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lost River Diversion.
Boat launches
- Crystal Springs
- Veteran's Memorial Park
- Miller Island Ramp
- Moore Park Marina #2
- Pelican Marina
- Keno Recreation Area
Campgrounds
- Kingsley Military
- Tulelake - Butte Valley Fair Rv Park
- Hagelstein Park
- Topsy
- Topsy Campground
- Switchback Hill Trailhead
Track Lost River Diversion 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 Lost River Diversion
Where does the data for Lost River Diversion 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 Lost River Diversion.