Oswego Lake Dam

Oswego Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Clackamas County, Oregon, built in 1921. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About Oswego Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Oswego Lake Dam 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 Lake Oswego Corporation (private). It impounds the Tualatin River (offstream) near Lake Oswego.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 120 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 433 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1921, the structure is over a century old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 11/19/2020.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateOregon
CountyClackamas
Nearest CityLake Oswego
River/StreamTualatin River (offstream)
Coordinates45.41025, -122.66795

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height34 ft
Dam Height32 ft
Dam Length120 ft
Year Completed1921 (105 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage9,800 acre-ft
Max Storage7,000 acre-ft
Normal Storage9,800 acre-ft
Surface Area433 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge1,400 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerLAKE OSWEGO CORPORATION
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection11/19/2020
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDOR00237
Federal IDOR00237
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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