Sowell Dam, located in Josephine County, Oregon, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for irrigation purposes.
Wind
Humidity
Completed in 1960, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a storage capacity of 47 acre-feet. It is situated on the Loosley Clough, Kelly Creek, and Pay rivers and covers a surface area of 4.69 acres with a drainage area of 0.18 square miles.
With a significant hazard potential, Sowell Dam is regulated and inspected by the Oregon Water Resources Department, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam has a spillway type that is not specified, along with a slide (sluice gate) outlet gates. Despite being in operation for several decades, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection conducted in December 2020.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sowell Dam represents a vital component of the regional water management infrastructure in Oregon. Its role in supporting irrigation activities and water storage underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure their continued functionality and safety. The dam's location in Bridgeview and its impact on the surrounding waterways make it a key point of interest for those interested in the intersection of human development and natural resources.
Year Completed |
1960 |
Dam Length |
385 |
Dam Height |
26 |
River Or Stream |
LOOSLEY CLOUGH, KELLY CREEK, PAY |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
4.69 |
Hydraulic Height |
22 |
Drainage Area |
0.18 |
Nid Storage |
47 |
Structural Height |
26 |
Outlet Gates |
Slide (sluice gate) |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Nid Height |
26 |
Illinois River Near Kerby
|
137cfs |
Sucker Cr Bl Lt Grayback Cr Nr Holland
|
38cfs |
Applegate River Near Wilderville
|
222cfs |
Indian C Nr Happy Camp Ca
|
69cfs |
Rogue River At Grants Pass
|
1460cfs |
Applegate River Near Applegate
|
185cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Shady Acres
|
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Grayback Campground
|
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Little Falls Campground
|
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Greyback campground
|
||
Grayback
|
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Chinquapin Group Campground
|
Middle Of Sec 15, T40S, R4E To Siskyou Nf Boundary (East Section Line Of Sec 13, T40S, R4E)
Confluence With Lightening Gulch To Confluence With Josephine Creek
Middle Of Sec 15, T39S, R4E To Confluence With Canyon Creek
Headwaters To Middle Of Sec 15, T39S, R4E
Confluence Of North And South Forks Rough And Ready To Middle Of Sec 15, T40S, R9W
Headwaters Including Both Unnamed Forks And Rr Lakes To Confluence With Rough And Ready Creek