Sowell Dam
Sowell Dam is an earth dam located in Josephine County, Oregon, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Sowell Dam
The primary purpose of Sowell Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Arlene Sowell (private). It impounds the Loosley Clough, Kelly Creek, Pay near Bridgeview.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 385 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 47 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 12/28/2020.
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Location
| State | Oregon |
| County | Josephine |
| Nearest City | Bridgeview |
| River/Stream | Loosley Clough, Kelly Creek, Pay |
| Coordinates | 42.14156, -123.61093 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 385 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 47 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 47 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 47 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 52 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | ARLENE SOWELL |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 12/28/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OR00720 |
| Federal ID | OR00720 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |