Clear Branch
Clear Branch is a rockfill dam located in Hood River County, Oregon, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Clear Branch
The primary purpose of Clear Branch is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Middle Fork Irrigation District (local government). It impounds the Middle Fork Hood River near Dee.
The dam stands 110 feet tall and stretches 1,440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 120 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,290 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/20/2022.
At 110 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Oregon dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Oregon |
| County | Hood River |
| Nearest City | Dee |
| River/Stream | Middle Fork Hood River |
| Coordinates | 45.46044, -121.65789 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 110 ft |
| Dam Height | 110 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,290 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,290 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 120 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 10,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Middle Fork Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/20/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00451 |
| Federal ID | OR00451 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |