Link River Diversion Dam is a concrete dam located in Klamath County, Oregon, built in 1921. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 22 ft22 ft tall and 435 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Link River Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Link River Diversion 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 Bureau of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Klamath River, Link River near Klamath Falls.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 435 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 85,000 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 735,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,800 square miles. Completed in 1921, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/08/2022.
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 | Klamath |
| Nearest City | Klamath Falls |
| River/Stream | Klamath River, Link River |
| Coordinates | 42.23390, -121.80190 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 435 ft |
| Year Completed | 1921 (105 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 735,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 735,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 735,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 85,000 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,800 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00557 |
| Federal ID | OR00557 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |