South Fork Diversion Dam dam
South Fork Diversion Dam
South Fork Diversion Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the South Fork Rogue River in Jackson, Oregon. Completed in 1932, the dam stands at a height of 24.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 32 feet, with a structural height of 33 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for hydroelectric power generation, with a storage capacity of 18.5 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 5 acre-feet.
The dam is owned and regulated by a private entity and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 98 feet. The dam has not been modified in recent years and has a condition assessment of "Not Available." The emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in 2020, and the dam is inspected every 3 years.
Overall, South Fork Diversion Dam is a key infrastructure for hydroelectric power generation in Oregon, serving the local community while managing water resources on the South Fork Rogue River. With its historical significance and continued operation, the dam plays a crucial role in balancing water needs and environmental considerations in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, South Fork Diversion Dam offers a fascinating example of sustainable energy production and dam management practices.
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 South Fork Diversion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Rogue River Near Prospect | 97 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Below Prospect | 857 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Above Prospect | 860 cfs | → |
| Rogue R At Cole M Rivers F Hatchery Nr Mcleod | 1,570 cfs | → |
| Big Butte Creek Near Mcleod | 34 cfs | → |
| Rogue River Near Mcleod | 1,950 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Fork Diversion Dam.
Boat launches
- Joseph Stewart State Park
- Mcgregor Park
- Casey State Park
- Rogue Elk
- Malone Springs
- Fish Lake Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Imnaha Campground
- Medco Pond Dispersed Camping
- Imnaha Guard Station
- Imnaha
- Lodgepole Guard Station
- Medeco Pond Dispersed Camping
Track South Fork Diversion Dam 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 South Fork Diversion Dam
Where does the data for South Fork Diversion Dam 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 South Fork Diversion Dam.