Charley Horse Reservoir dam
Charley Horse Reservoir
Charley Horse Reservoir, located in Jackson County, Oregon, is a privately owned earth dam structure completed in 1966 for the primary purpose of recreation. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 48 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5.65 acres. Situated along Iron Gulch Creek, the dam stands at 26 feet in height and has an associated hydraulic height of 21 feet, providing fire protection, stock watering, and a small fish pond in addition to recreational opportunities.
Despite its low hazard potential, Charley Horse Reservoir is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam features a needle outlet gate for water release and has a maximum discharge capacity of 1050 cubic feet per second. The reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities and scenic views, making it a valuable asset for the local community.
Overall, Charley Horse Reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the region, offering both recreational enjoyment and essential functions like fire protection and stock watering. With its picturesque location and well-maintained infrastructure, this reservoir is a testament to the importance of sustainable water management in the face of changing climate patterns. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, we can appreciate the efforts put into maintaining and regulating this valuable reservoir for current and future generations to enjoy.
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 Charley Horse Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Blw Ashland Creek At Ashland | 43 cfs | → |
| East Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 4 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ashland Creek Near Ashland | 5 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Medford | 51 cfs | → |
| Klamath River Blw John C.Boyle Pwrplnt | 1,350 cfs | → |
| Klamath R Bl Iron Gate Dam Ca | 1,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Charley Horse Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Wildcat Campground
- Mountain View Boat Ramp & Dock
- Cascade Boat Ramp & Dock
- Hyatt Lake Recreation Area
- Fish Lake Boating Site
- Sunset Campground
Campgrounds
- Lily Glen - Howard Prairie Lake
- Grizzly - Howard Prairie Lake
- Beaver Dam
- Daley Creek Campground
- Daley Creek
- Willow Point - Howard Prairie Lake
Track Charley Horse 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 Charley Horse Reservoir
Where does the data for Charley Horse 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 Charley Horse Reservoir.