Salmon Falls Dam

Salmon Falls Dam

Salmon Falls Dam shortly after completion in 1910
Country United States
Location Twin Falls County, Idaho
Coordinates 42°12′43″N 114°44′03″W / 42.21194°N 114.73417°W / 42.21194; -114.73417Coordinates: 42°12′43″N 114°44′03″W / 42.21194°N 114.73417°W / 42.21194; -114.73417
Purpose Irrigation
Opening date 1910
Owner(s) Salmon River Canal Company
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Concrete gravity arch
Impounds Salmon Falls Creek
Height 217 ft (66 m)[1]
Length 450 ft (140 m)[1]
Reservoir
Creates Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir
Total capacity 230,650 acre·ft (284,500 dam3)[1]
Catchment area 1,610 sq mi (4,200 km2)[1]
Surface area 3,400 acres (1,400 ha)[1]
Max. length 14 mi (23 km)

Salmon Falls Dam is a dam constructed across Salmon Falls Creek in Twin Falls County, Idaho in the United States. Located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Buhl, the masonry arch-gravity dam is 217 feet (66 m) high and 450 feet (140 m) long, impounding up to 230,650 acre feet (0.28450 km3) of water in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir.[1] When full, the reservoir extends for 17 miles (27 km) upstream, encompassing 3,400 acres (1,400 ha). The dam and reservoir control runoff from a drainage basin of 1,610 sq mi (4,200 km2).[1]

The dam was built in 1910 to provide irrigation water storage, and is owned and operated by the Salmon River Canal Company.[2] A secondary purpose is flood control: the dam has never spilled floodwaters with the exception of the heavy snowmelt of 1984.[3] Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir is also a popular recreational lake, and is considered one of the best fisheries in southern Idaho.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Salmon Falls Dam". National Performance of Dams Program. Stanford University. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  2. ↑ "History". Salmon River Canal Company. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  3. ↑ Clawson, Jenifer (March 2006). "Salmon Falls Creek Water Quality Report" (PDF). State of Idaho Agriculture. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  4. ↑ "Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir". Burley Recreation. U.S Bureau of Land Management. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2012-08-18.


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