Map of All 884 Oregon Dams
Oregon has 884 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 173 are classified as high hazard (20% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 31 Oregon dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Oregon dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Oregon to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Oregon Dams by the Numbers
- 884 total dams in Oregon
- 173 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 170 significant hazard
- 541 low hazard
- 48 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (32 poor, 16 unsatisfactory)
- 31 Oregon dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Oregon
The tallest dam in Oregon is Cougar Dam at 519 feet, completed in 1963. The 10 tallest Oregon dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougar Dam | 519 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Lane |
| Detroit Dam | 463 ft | 1953 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Linn |
| Round Butte | 440 ft | 1964 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Jefferson |
| Owyhee Dam | 417 ft | 1932 | Irrigation | Not Available | Malheur |
| Brownlee | 395 ft | 1958 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Baker |
| Green Peter Dam | 378 ft | 1967 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Linn |
| William L. Jess Dam | 345 ft | 1976 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Jackson |
| Hills Creek Dam | 341 ft | 1962 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Lane |
| Lookout Point Dam | 276 ft | 1953 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Lane |
| Blue River Dam | 270 ft | 1968 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Lane |
High-Hazard Oregon Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 31 dams in Oregon. Notable examples:
- Smith (235 ft, Linn County) — Hydroelectric, Unsatisfactory condition
- Hosler (Reeder Gulch (114 ft, Jackson County) — Water Supply, Unsatisfactory condition
- Willow Creek 3 (Malheur) (110 ft, Malheur County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Clear Branch (110 ft, Hood River County) — Irrigation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Bear Creek (94 ft, Clatsop County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Oregon
Dam safety in Oregon is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Oregon?
Oregon has 884 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 173 high hazard, 170 significant hazard, and 541 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Oregon?
The tallest dam in Oregon is Cougar Dam at 519 feet, completed in 1963. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Oregon dams are in poor condition?
48 Oregon dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 31 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
