Briscoe Reservoir dam
Briscoe Reservoir
Briscoe Reservoir, located in Clackamas, Oregon, is a privately owned water resource managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Built in 1966 for irrigation purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. With a surface area of 3.17 acres and a drainage area of 0.08 square miles, the reservoir serves as a vital source of water for agriculture in the region.
Despite its small size, Briscoe Reservoir plays a significant role in supporting the local ecosystem by providing a habitat for fish and wildlife. The dam is equipped with a needle outlet gate and has a low hazard potential, making it a relatively safe structure. While its condition has not been officially rated, regular inspections ensure its continued functionality. The reservoir's maximum discharge capacity is 43 cubic feet per second, and it is regulated by the state, with inspection, enforcement, and permitting processes in place to ensure compliance with water resource regulations.
Briscoe Reservoir's strategic location in Redland, Oregon, and its role in supporting irrigation and wildlife make it a valuable asset in the region. Managed by private owners and regulated by state agencies, the reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climates and growing water demands. With its low hazard potential and reliable infrastructure, Briscoe Reservoir continues to serve as a sustainable resource for the community and the environment.
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 Briscoe Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clackamas River Near Oregon City | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Clackamas River At Estacada | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Nate Creek Tributary Near Colton | 0 cfs | → |
| Kelley Creek At Se 159th Drive At Portland | 1 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Sycamore | 3 cfs | → |
| Tualatin River At West Linn | 333 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Briscoe Reservoir.
Boat launches
- A-1 Moorage
- Feldheimer Park
- Riverside Park
- Willamette River Greenway Oregon City
- Clackamette Drive 1955, Oregon City
- Meldrum Bar Park Road Gladstone
Campgrounds
- Barton Park
- Barton Park Camping
- Kingfisher Group Camp
- Mciver State Park
- Chinook Group Camp
- Hiker/Biker Sites
Track Briscoe 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 Briscoe Reservoir
Where does the data for Briscoe 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 Briscoe Reservoir.