Sparks Dam
Sparks
Sparks, located in Deschutes, Oregon, is a privately-owned irrigation dam completed in 2002 with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 19 feet and is primarily used for irrigation purposes. It is regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
With a significant hazard potential, Sparks has not been rated for its condition assessment, but it is subject to a regular inspection frequency of 3. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, emergency action plans and risk management measures have not been formally documented. Despite the lack of certain risk assessment details, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water resources for agricultural activities in the region, highlighting the importance of maintaining its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards.
As a key feature in the water resource infrastructure of Deschutes County, Oregon, Sparks dam serves as a vital component in the irrigation system that supports local agriculture. While more detailed assessments and plans for risk management may be needed, the dam's presence underscores the importance of proper maintenance, regulation, and oversight to ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the area. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Sparks in contributing to the agricultural landscape while also recognizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and management to safeguard its functionality and the surrounding environment.
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 Sparks -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Blw Osborne Canyon | 121 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Culver | 515 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Below Opal Springs | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Metolius River Near Grandview | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River Near Madras | 3,480 cfs | → |
| Shitike Creek Near Warm Springs | 42 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sparks.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Sparks
Where does the data for Sparks 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 below 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.
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.