Rock Creek Dam
Rock Creek Dam is a gravity dam located in Malheur County, Oregon, built in 1939. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Rock Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Rock Creek Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Doi Blm (federal). It impounds the Rock Creek near Hwy 95.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 310 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 28 square miles. Completed in 1939, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/03/2020.
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 | Malheur |
| Nearest City | Hwy 95 |
| River/Stream | Rock Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.88582, -117.37179 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 834 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 310 acres |
| Drainage Area | 28 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 690 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | DOI BLM |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/03/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00623 |
| Federal ID | OR00623 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |