Binford Dam dam
Binford Dam
Binford Dam, located in Gresham, Oregon, stands as a crucial water resource infrastructure owned by the local government for irrigation purposes. Constructed in 1958, this earth-type dam boasts a structural height of 25 feet and a length of 318 feet, providing a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet on the Hieny Creek. With a significant hazard potential, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Oregon Water Resources Department to ensure its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Binford Dam plays a vital role in regulating water flow and storage in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 400 cubic feet per second. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam undergoes inspections every three years to assess its integrity and performance. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are yet to be fully documented, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and preparedness to mitigate potential hazards.
With its proximity to Multnomah County and strategic location within the Portland District, Binford Dam serves as a key component in the local water management system. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding and maintaining such critical infrastructure is essential for sustainable water supply and flood control in the area. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience can find inspiration in the operational challenges and regulatory framework surrounding Binford Dam, making it a focal point for ongoing discussions on water security and environmental sustainability.
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 Binford Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kelley Creek At Se 159th Drive At Portland | 1 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Regner Road | 3 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Sycamore | 3 cfs | → |
| Fairview Creek At Glisan St Near Gresham | 6 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Troutdale | 1 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Milwaukie | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Binford Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Barton Park Camping
- Barton Park
- Oxbow Regional Park
- Clackamette Rv Park
- Kingfisher Group Camp
- Mciver State Park
Paddle runs
- Clackamas River
- North Section Line Of Sec 17, T4s, R5e To Slackwater North Fork Reservoir
- Headwaters To North Section Line Of Sec 17, T4s, R5e
- Sandy River
- Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 8, T4n, R6e To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
- Mt. Hood Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Sandy River
Track Binford 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 Binford Dam
Where does the data for Binford 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 Significant 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 Binford Dam.