Winchester
Winchester is an other dam located in Douglas County, Oregon, built in 1904. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Winchester
The primary purpose of Winchester is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Winchester Water Control District (public utility). It impounds the North Umpqua River near Winchester.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 485 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,344 square miles. Completed in 1904, 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 07/15/2021.
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 | Douglas |
| Nearest City | Winchester |
| River/Stream | North Umpqua River |
| Coordinates | 43.28399, -123.35393 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Other |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 485 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 27 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,344 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,200 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Winchester Water Control District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 07/15/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00263 |
| Federal ID | OR00263 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |