Petes Slough dam
Petes Slough
Petes Slough, located in Columbia, Oregon, is a state-managed earth dam completed in 1980 for recreational purposes. Owned by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this structure stands at 16 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 2,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 347 acres and a maximum discharge of 849 cubic feet per second, Petes Slough provides a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities.
Despite its low hazard potential and the absence of a condition assessment rating, Petes Slough undergoes regular inspections every six years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures remain unspecified, leaving room for potential improvements in emergency preparedness. Positioned within the Portland District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Petes Slough plays a vital role in managing water resources and enhancing recreational opportunities in the region.
As a key feature along the Petes Slough river system, this dam not only serves as a recreational hub but also contributes to the environmental and hydrological balance of the area. With its picturesque surroundings and vital role in water resource management, Petes Slough stands as a testament to the intersection of human development and nature conservation in Oregon. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are encouraged to explore this site and appreciate the significance of sustainable dam construction and management practices in maintaining ecological harmony.
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 Petes Slough -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Slough At Portland | 580 cfs | → |
| Burnt Bridge Creek Near Mouth At Vancouver | 37 cfs | → |
| East Fork Dairy Creek Near Meacham Corner | 21 cfs | → |
| East Fork Lewis River Near Heisson | 244 cfs | → |
| Lewis River At Ariel | 2,820 cfs | → |
| Willamette River At Portland | 17,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Petes Slough.
Boat launches
- Gilbert River Transient Tie-Up
- Northwest Oak Island Road 25499, Portland
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
- Haldman Pond Hand Launch
- Big Oak Marina
- Happy Rock Moorage Inc.
Campgrounds
- Paradise Point State Park
- Battle Ground Lake State Park
- Scaponia County Park
- Louis Rasmussen Rv Park
- Camp Wilkerson
- Brooke Creek Hike-In Camp
Track Petes Slough 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 Petes Slough
Where does the data for Petes Slough 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 Petes Slough.