Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir dam
Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir
Located in Baker, Oregon, the Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir was completed in 1908 primarily for irrigation purposes. This private-owned Earth-type dam stands at a height of 10 feet with a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet. The reservoir has a normal storage level of 106.4 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 15.8 acres, serving the Elk Creek - Burlap & Juniper Gulch watershed.
Managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department, the Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," this reservoir plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of Baker County, this reservoir is a key component in sustaining agriculture and environmental health in the area.
While the Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir currently does not have a spillway or associated locks, it remains a vital water resource infrastructure in the region. With a history dating back over a century, this reservoir continues to support irrigation activities and water supply needs. As climate change impacts water availability, the maintenance and management of such reservoirs become increasingly important for ensuring sustainable water use 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 Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City | 34 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Weiser Id | 13,800 cfs | → |
| John Day River Near John Day | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Mason Ramp
- Southwest Shore Boat Launch
- Unity Lake State Recreation Site
- Thief Valley
- Anthony Lakes Boat Launch
- Anthony Lake Campground
Campgrounds
- Union Creek
- Millers Lane
- Millers Lane Campground
- Southwest Shore
- Southwest Shore Campground
- Apple Orchard
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With Van Patten Creek
- Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Eagle Crek
- Headwaters To Eagle Cap Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters (Just North Of Confluence Of Mf Five Points Creek) To Wallowa-Whitman Nf Boundary
- Indian Cr, S Fk - M8
- North Fork Malheur River
Track Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir 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 Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir
Where does the data for Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir 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 Spaulding-Vaughn Reservoir.