Walterville Forebay
Walterville Forebay is a concrete dam located in Lane County, Oregon, built in 1911. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Walterville Forebay
The primary purpose of Walterville Forebay is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Eugene Water And Electric Board (public utility). It impounds the Mckenzie River near Springfield.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 280 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 275 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,085 square miles. Completed in 1911, 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. 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 08/14/2025.
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 | Lane |
| Nearest City | Springfield |
| River/Stream | Mckenzie River |
| Coordinates | 44.06972, -122.83565 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 280 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 275 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 275 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 275 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 1,085 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,380 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Eugene Water and Electric Board |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/14/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00600 |
| Federal ID | OR00600 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |