Pony Creek - Lower
Pony Creek - Lower is an earth dam located in Coos County, Oregon, built in 1988. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Pony Creek - Lower
The primary purpose of Pony Creek - Lower 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 Coos Bay - North Bend Water Board (public utility). It impounds the Pony Creek near Coos Bay.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 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 09/23/2021.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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 | Coos |
| Nearest City | Coos Bay |
| River/Stream | Pony Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.37899, -124.24209 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1988 (38 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 27 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,150 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Coos Bay - North Bend Water Board |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/23/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00070 |
| Federal ID | OR00070 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |