PENDLETON, Ore. - The Bureau of Reclamation advises people near or around McKay Creek downstream of McKay Reservoir to exercise caution due to potential dangers associated with high flows and fluctuating water levels between the reservoir and the Umatilla River.
Water may need to be released from McKay Reservoir in order for safe operations to adhere to the standard fill curve schedule and maintain room for additional inflow into the system. Discharges from the dam may fluctuate significantly over the next few months as snow melt and precipitation continue to fill the reservoir. McKay Creek may run at bank full or higher levels downstream of the dam.
McKay Dam was completed in 1927 and furnishes a supplementary supply of water to the Stanfield and Westland Irrigation Districts. The reservoir has an active capacity of 71,534 acre-feet, of which 6,000 acre-feet is used exclusively for flood control.
Local residents with questions about reservoir operations can call the Umatilla Field Office at (541) 564-8616.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation