Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) dam
Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond)
Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon. Built in 1905, the dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a capacity to store 100 acre-feet of water. With a primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power, the dam plays a significant role in the region's energy production.
The dam's structure is primarily built on rock foundations and spans 300 feet in length, with a surface area of 30 acres. It has a significant hazard potential and is classified as a moderate risk (3) according to risk assessments. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it is equipped with slide gates for water release. Regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement ensure the safety and compliance of Bend Hydro.
The location of Bend Hydro within the Deschutes River watershed allows for the sustainable harnessing of water resources for power generation. As a key player in the region's energy infrastructure, Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) represents a harmonious blend of water resource utilization and climate-conscious energy production.
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 Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) -- 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 | → |
| Mckenzie River Bl Payne Cr | 215 cfs | → |
| Mckenzie R Blw Trail Br Dam Nr Belknap Springs | 690 cfs | → |
| Mckenzie River At Outlet Of Clear Lake | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond).
Boat launches
- Southwest Shevlin Hixon Drive 172, Bend
- Deschutes County
- Deschutes River Trail Deschutes County
- Slough Camp
Campgrounds
- Tumalo State Park
- Swamp Wells
- Swamp Wells - Horse Camp
- Three Creek Lake Campground
- Three Creek Lake
- Three Creek Meadow Horse Camp
Track Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) 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 Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond)
Where does the data for Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond) 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 Bend Hydro (Mirrorpond).