John C. Boyle Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John C. Boyle Dam |
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The John C. Boyle Dam with its floodgate open.
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| Location | Klamath County, Oregon, USA |
| Coordinates | 42°07′25″N 122°02′54″W / 42.123476°N 122.048345°W |
| Construction began | 1956-58 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Klamath River |
| Height | 68 feet |
| Length | 714.3 feet |
The John C. Boyle Dam is a large hydroelectric dam in southern Oregon, United States. It sits on the upper part of the Klamath River, about 12 miles north of the California border. This dam was first called Big Bend. Later, it was renamed to honor John C. Boyle. He was an important engineer who designed many parts of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project.
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What is the John C. Boyle Dam?
The Boyle Diversion Dam is made of several parts. These include sections built with earth, concrete, and special areas for water intake and spillways. Together, these parts make the dam 714.3 feet long and 68 feet tall. The concrete spillway has three gates that help control the water. This area also forms the John C. Boyle Reservoir. The dam also has special screens and a ladder to help fish move past it safely.
How the Dam Makes Power
The dam creates electricity mainly during peak times. This means it produces power when a lot of electricity is needed. When it makes power, it releases water back into the river. Other times, only a small amount of water flows back. This changing water level can create a "bathtub ring" effect downstream. This looks like a line left on the riverbanks where the water used to be higher.
Efforts to Remove the Dam
The John C. Boyle Dam is one of four dams on the Klamath River. There have been talks about removing all four of these dams. This idea is part of something called the Klamath Economic Restoration Act. In February 2016, a big agreement was made. The states of Oregon and California, the dam owners, and government groups agreed to remove all four dams by 2020. This plan needed approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. However, by October 2020, the talks had stopped. A social movement called "Un-Dam the Klamath" has been working for over 20 years to remove these dams.
Who Was John C. Boyle?
The dam is named after John C. Boyle (1899-1979). He was a very important person at the California Oregon Power Company (COPCO). This company provided electricity to southern Oregon and parts of northern California. Boyle was a vice president, general manager, and chief engineer for a long time.
