Ochoco Dam facts for kids
The Ochoco Dam is a large dam located in Central Oregon, about 6 kilometers (4 miles) east of Prineville in Crook County, Oregon, United States. This dam helps create the Ochoco Reservoir by holding back the waters of Ochoco Creek.
What Does Ochoco Dam Do?
The main job of Ochoco Dam is to store water for irrigation. This water helps local farms grow their crops. It also plays a big role in flood control, protecting areas downstream from heavy rains.
Even though it's a dam, it doesn't make electricity. However, Ochoco Reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor fun. People enjoy fishing and boating there. The area that used to be Ochoco Lake State Park is now a county park. It offers campsites and easy access to the lake for everyone to enjoy.
Building and Rebuilding the Dam
The first Ochoco Dam was built a long time ago, in 1920. It was a private project. This original dam was about 38 meters (126 feet) tall and 305 meters (1,000 feet) long.
However, the old dam had a problem. It kept leaking in the middle section. This was a constant worry for the town of Prineville, which is located close by. Because of this safety concern, the dam was replaced. The United States Bureau of Reclamation rebuilt it in 1949.
The new dam, made of earth, was even taller, reaching about 46 meters (152 feet) high. Later, in the mid-1990s, the reservoir was emptied twice. This was done to allow for more safety improvements to the dam. Even though the Bureau of Reclamation helped a lot, the Ochoco Irrigation District actually owns the dam.
A Famous Radio Prank
In 1999, Ochoco Dam became part of a funny story. A local radio station, KSJJ, played an April Fool's Day prank about the dam. This hoax was so well-known that Time magazine included it on their list. They called it one of the "Top 10 Shocking Hoaxes." It was listed alongside other famous pranks, like the "balloon boy hoax."
