Mercer
Mercer is an earth dam located in Polk County, Oregon, built in 1961. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Mercer
The primary purpose of Mercer is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Dallas (local government). It impounds the Rickreall Creek near Dallas.
The dam stands 81 feet tall and stretches 460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1961, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/19/2021.
At 81 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Polk |
| Nearest City | Dallas |
| River/Stream | Rickreall Creek |
| Coordinates | 44.90377, -123.47018 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 81 ft |
| Dam Height | 79 ft |
| Dam Length | 460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,550 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,550 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,550 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 17 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,700 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Dallas |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/19/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00524 |
| Federal ID | OR00524 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |