John Day Reservoir Dam
John Day Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Elko County, Nevada, built in 1965. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About John Day Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of John Day Reservoir Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Hooper Frank (private). It impounds the John Day Creek near Ryndon.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 2,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 340 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,962 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 28 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 06/30/2021.
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Location
| State | Nevada |
| County | Elko |
| Nearest City | Ryndon |
| River/Stream | John Day Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.87750, -115.39330 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,962 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,962 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 561 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 340 acres |
| Drainage Area | 28 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,140 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | HOOPER FRANK |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/30/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV00053 |
| Federal ID | NV00053 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |