Carmen Diversion

Carmen Diversion is an earth dam located in Linn County, Oregon, built in 1963. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.

Hazard potentialLowFailure would cause limited damage
ConditionUnsatisfactoryWorst of 4 · considered unsafe
Emergency action planOn file
Last inspection09/21/2022
Height17 ft
Built196363 years ago

Dam profile

NID height · 17 ft
17 FT TWO-STORY HOUSEMEDIAN U.S. DAM · 24 FT

17 ft tall and 2,100 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.

About Carmen Diversion

The primary purpose of Carmen Diversion 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 Eugene Water and Electric Board (public utility). It impounds the Mckenzie River near Mckenzie Bridge.

The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 2,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 114 square miles. Completed in 1963, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/21/2022.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

Location

StateOregon
CountyLinn
Nearest CityMckenzie Bridge
River/StreamMckenzie River
Coordinates44.33840, -122.00570

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height17 ft
Dam Height17 ft
Dam Length2,100 ft
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage260 acre-ft
Max Storage260 acre-ft
Normal Storage260 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area114 sq mi
Max Discharge6,000 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerEugene Water and Electric Board
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentUnsatisfactory
Last Inspection09/21/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOR00539
Federal IDOR00539
More InfoState Dam Safety Program