Brownlee Dam

Brownlee Dam Quick Facts

Location: Baker, Oregon
Coordinates: 44.8368, -116.9006
River: Snake River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Rockfill Gravity
Commissioned: 1958
Dam Height: 395 ft (120 m)
Dam Length: 1,380 ft (421 m)
Dam Capacity: 1,470,000 acre-ft (1,813,216 Ml)
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Brownlee Dam Map

Brownlee Dam Information

Brownlee Dam is a rockfill gravity dam located about 12 miles from Oxbow, Or, Baker, Oregon.

The dam, which is on the Snake River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Navigation, Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation and Flood Risk Reduction benefits.

The dam was designed by International Engineering Company and commissioned in 1958 and is currently owned by Idaho Power Company.

Brownlee Dam Structure

The Brownlee Dam is approximately 1,380 feet (421 m) long, 395 feet (120 m) high and has a structural volume of 6,000,000 cubic yards (4,587,330 cubic metres).

Brownlee Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 1,470,000 acre-ft (1,813,216 Ml) and maximum capacity of 1,470,000 acre-ft (1,813,216 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 14,621 acres (5,917 ha) and the total catchment area is 72,800 square miles (188,551 square kilometres).

Brownlee Dam Spillway

The dam spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 307300 cubic feet per second (8702 cubic metres per second).

Brownlee Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Brownlee Dam
Baker, Oregon
Height (ft)
395
Length (Ft)
1,380
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
1,470,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
72,800
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Brownlee Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Brownlee Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Brownlee Dam

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Brownlee Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam is in Oregon.

In which county is the Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam is in Baker County.

How high is the Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam is 395 feet high.

How long is the Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam is 1,380 feet long.

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More Dams in Baker County:

Brownlee Dam
Mason Dam
Unity Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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