Detroit Dam
Coordinates44°43′15.44″N 122°14′59.27″W
CountryUnited States
LocationDetroit, Linn County/Marion County, Oregon
PurposeFlood control, power, irrigation
StatusO
Construction began1949
Opening1953 (age 73)
Cost$13,615,000 (1953 est.)[1] equiv. to $ today
OwnerU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Dam crossesNorth Santiam River
Dam length1,523.5 ft (464.4 m)
Dam height463 ft (141 m)
Dam elevation crest1,580 ft (480 m)
Res nameDetroit Lake
Res capacity total455,000 acre.ft
Res capacity active321,000 acre.ft
Res catchment437 sq mi (1,130 km2)
Res surface3,500 acres (14 km2)
Res max length9 mi (14 km)
Res elevation1,569 ft (478 m) (full)
Plant commission1953
Plant turbines2 x 100 MW Francis-type[2]
Plant capacity100 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 5 mi (8.0 km) west of the city of Detroit. It was constructed between 1949 and 1953 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The dam created 400-foot (120-metre) deep Detroit Lake, more than 9 miles (14 km) long with 32 miles (51 km) of shoreline.[3][4][5]

It is one of the dams authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938.[6] Construction was delayed largely due to World War II. The dam, dedicated on June 10, 1953,[7] 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.[1]

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) = 321,000 acre.ft
  • Powerhouse
    • Number of units: 2
    • Nameplate capacity: 100 MW
    • Overload capacity: 115 MW
    • Hydraulic capacity: 5,340 ft3/s (151 m³/s)

References

  1. ^ Bob Reinhardt (June 10, 2019). "Detroit Dam". Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  2. ^ JP Duncan, TJ Carlson (May 2011). "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. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Detroit Dam". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2006-05-03.
  4. ^ "The Detroit and Big Cliff Dams". North Santiam Water Council. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Building Strong® at Detroit Dam and Reservoir". U.S. Army Corps or Engineers. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  6. ^ United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Civil Works Directorate (1976). Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers on Civil Works Activities. p. 37-29. Retrieved May 6, 2020. ... 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 ...
  7. ^ "Detroit". North Santiam Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  8. ^ Selsky, Andrew (2021-03-17). "Oregon dam at risk of failing in large earthquake, officials say". Los Angeles Times. Archived 2021-03-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  9. ^ Urness, Zach. "Detroit Dam earthquake concern to bring lower summer water levels in reservoir". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  10. ^ US Army Corps of Engineers (May 19, 2024). "Detroit Dam and Lake". Retrieved May 19, 2024.