Gerber Dam
Gerber Dam is a concrete dam located in Klamath County, Oregon, built in 1925. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Gerber Dam
The primary purpose of Gerber Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Miller Creek near Bonanza.
The dam stands 88 feet tall and stretches 485 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,830 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 92,215 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 189 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/02/2022.
At 88 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 | Klamath |
| Nearest City | Bonanza |
| River/Stream | Miller Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.20120, -121.13000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 88 ft |
| Dam Height | 88 ft |
| Dam Length | 485 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 92,215 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 92,215 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,830 acres |
| Drainage Area | 189 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 12/02/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00584 |
| Federal ID | OR00584 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |