Happy Valley dam
Happy Valley
Happy Valley, also known as Simnasho Reservoir, is a federal-owned water resource located in Wasco, Oregon. Managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this reservoir primarily serves the purpose of irrigation, with additional recreational uses. Constructed in 1938, it has a structural height of 45 feet and a storage capacity of 490 acre-feet, making it a vital water source for the surrounding area.
Situated along Quartz Creek, Happy Valley plays a crucial role in water management and provides essential irrigation support for the region. With a maximum discharge of 225 cubic feet per second and a high hazard potential, this reservoir requires regular inspections and monitoring to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition, meeting regulatory guidelines and serving as a key asset for water supply and agricultural needs in the area.
The risk assessment for Happy Valley indicates a very high risk level, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management measures and emergency preparedness. With the involvement of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in its operation, maintenance, and regulation, this reservoir continues to be a significant water resource for the local community, highlighting the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and safety in the face of potential hazards.
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 Happy Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek | 36 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs River Near Kahneeta Hot Springs | 257 cfs | → |
| Shitike Creek Near Warm Springs | 90 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Madras | 3,580 cfs | → |
| Shitike Cr | 67 cfs | → |
| Metolius River Near Grandview | 1,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Happy Valley.
Boat launches
- Nena Primitive Launch
- Long Bend Primitive North Launch
- Warm Springs State Recreation Site
- Warm Springs Boat Ramp (State Park)
- Trout Creek Campground
- Harpham Flat Boat Launch
Paddle runs
- Warm Springs To Sherars Falls
- Lower Deschutes (Sherars Falls To Columbia River)
- Breitenbush Lake To Confluence With North Fork Breitenbush River
- Russel Lake To Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Boundary
- Timothy Lake Dam To Slackwater Of Harriet Lake
- Salmon River Canyon (Split Falls To Road Access)
Track Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley
Where does the data for Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley.