Detroit Dam Explained
Detroit Dam |
Location Map: | Oregon |
Coordinates: | 44.721°N -122.2498°W |
Country: | United States |
Location: | Detroit, Linn County/Marion County, Oregon |
Purpose: | Flood control, power, irrigation |
Status: | O |
Construction Began: | 1949 |
Cost: | $13,615,000 (1953 est.) equiv. to $ today |
Owner: | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Dam Type: | Concrete gravity |
Dam Length: | 1523.5feet |
Dam Height: | 463feet |
Dam Elevation Crest: | 1580feet |
Res Name: | Detroit Lake |
Res Capacity Total: | 455000acre.ft |
Res Capacity Active: | 321000acre.ft |
Res Catchment: | 437mi2 |
Res Surface: | 3500acres |
Res Max Length: | 9miles |
Res Elevation: | 1569feet (full) |
Plant Commission: | 1953 |
Plant Type: | Conventional |
Plant Turbines: | 2 x 100 MW Francis-type[1] |
Plant Capacity: | 100 MW |
Detroit Dam is a gravity dam on the North Santiam River between Linn County and Marion County, Oregon. It is located in the Cascades, about 5miles west of the city of Detroit. It was constructed between 1949 and 1953 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The dam created 400feet deep Detroit Lake, more than 9 miles (14 km) long with 32 miles (51 km) of shoreline.[2] [3] [4]
It is one of the dams authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938.[5] Construction was delayed largely due to World War II. The dam, dedicated on June 10, 1953,[6] was authorized for the purposes of flood control, power generation, navigation, and irrigation. Other uses are fishery, water quality, and recreation. It was built in concert with the Big Cliff Dam downstream.[7]
In 2021, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that this dam was at risk of failing in a large earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone, which would result in a "potentially catastrophic flood", which could potentially affect Oregon's state capital, Salem, located downstream.[8] For this reason, the level of the reservoir was lowered by five feet, to reduce the stress on the concrete structure.[9]
Capacity
Source:[10]
- Drainage area: 437 mi2 (1,132 km2)
- Maximum inflow: 63,200 ft3/s (1,790 m³/s) 1909
- Lake Elevation
- Maximum pool: 1,574 ft (480 m)
- Full pool: 1,569 ft (478 m)
- Minimum flood control pool: 1,450 ft (442 m)
- Usable storage (1,425.0 to 1,563.5 ft) = 321000acre.ft
- Powerhouse
- Number of units: 2
- Nameplate capacity: 100 MW
- Overload capacity: 115 MW
- Hydraulic capacity: 5,340 ft3/s (151 m³/s)
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: JP Duncan, TJ Carlson. Characterization of Fish Passage Conditions through a Francis Turbine, Spillway, and Regulating Outlet at Detroit Dam, Oregon, Using Sensor Fish, 2009. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 10 January 2015. May 2011.
- Web site: [{{Gnis3|1140930}} Detroit Dam ]. . . 2006-05-03.
- Web site: The Detroit and Big Cliff Dams. North Santiam Water Council. 10 January 2015. 12 June 2012.
- Web site: Building Strong® at Detroit Dam and Reservoir. U.S. Army Corps or Engineers. 10 January 2015.
- Book: Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers on Civil Works Activities . United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Civil Works Directorate . 1976 . 37-29 . ... for construction under general authorization Willamette River Basin in 1938 Flood Act. 1948 Flood Control Act modified project to provide for installation of power generating facilities including construction of a reregulating dam ... . May 6, 2020 .
- Web site: Detroit . North Santiam Chamber of Commerce . 2011-06-10.
- Encyclopedia: Detroit Dam . Bob Reinhardt . June 10, 2019 . Oregon Encyclopedia . 2011-06-10.
- Web site: Selsky. Andrew. 2021-03-17. Oregon dam at risk of failing in large earthquake, officials say. live. 2021-03-17. Los Angeles Times. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210317122116/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-03-17/dam-oregon-at-risk-failing-in-large-earthquake . 2021-03-17 .
- Web site: Urness. Zach. Detroit Dam earthquake concern to bring lower summer water levels in reservoir. 2021-03-17. Statesman Journal. en-US.
- Web site: US Army Corps of Engineers . May 19, 2024 . Detroit Dam and Lake . May 19, 2024.