If a large magnitude earthquake were to strike our region, how would our local dams hold up And what damage could they potentially do
At the southern end of Lost Creek Lake sits Wes L. Jess Dam, one of 57 across the state.
Since oregon sits right next to the Cascadia Subduction Zone, geologists say the chances of a large magnitude earthquake is long over due.
Jim Bucks with the Army Corps of Engineers knows that an earthquake is bound to happen.
“Ifwe were to have a major earthquake here, we would anticipate there would be some damage to the dam, but it wouldn’t be here one instance and gone the next,” said Jim Buck, from Army Corps of Engineers.
Army Corps of Engineers monitor both of the dams at Lost Creek and Applegate Lakes.
Buck believes they would be able to withstand a large earthquake but there are of course certain factors.
“We tend to relate in magnitude, it’s where the earthquake happens, if it’s futher away the less likely the damage is likely be.”
But the time of year also plays a factor of how much damage could potentially be done.
In May both reservoirs are both full.
To insure that doesn’t happen, they are always inspecting the dam wall.
But only time will tell what damage will be ultimately be done.
Bottom line, the Army Corps of Engineers say that the dams at Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Lake would likely hold up, even in a large earthquake.
We also contacted several of the local irrigation districts who monitor smaller sized dams such as Howard Prairie and Emmigrant Lake and they also say they believe those dams would also be able to withstand a large earthquake.
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