Paul dam
Paul
Paul is a privately owned earth dam located in Clark, Idaho, with a fascinating history dating back to its completion in 1911 by the USDA NRCS. The dam stands at a height of 27.5 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22.5 feet, serving the primary purpose of "Other." With a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.4 square miles, Paul plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Paul's condition assessment is rated as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and repairs to ensure its long-term stability and functionality. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 8 feet, and it is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This historical structure not only provides water storage but also contributes to flood control and irrigation purposes, making it a valuable asset in the local water resource infrastructure.
Located in the Omaha District and surrounded by the scenic landscape of East Modoc Creek and Modoc Creek, Paul is a key player in the management of water resources in Idaho. With its moderate risk assessment rating and the involvement of various federal agencies like the USDA NRCS and the Forest Service, efforts are needed to address its poor condition and ensure its continued operation for the benefit of the community and the environment. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Paul presents a unique case study of a century-old dam facing modern challenges in maintenance and risk management.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Paul -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At Spencer Id 12n-36e-23a | 22 cfs | → |
| Red Rock R Bl Lima Reservoir Nr Monida Mt | 173 cfs | → |
| Medicine Lodge Creek Nr Small Id | 45 cfs | → |
| Camas Creek At Camas Id | · | → |
| Red Rock Cr Ab Lakes Nr Lakeview Mt | 47 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Blw Coffee Pot Rapids Nr Macks Inn Id | 372 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paul.
Campgrounds
- Stoddard Creek Campground
- Stoddard Creek
- Patelzik Dispersed Campground
- Medicine Lodge Creek Dispersed Camping Area
- Al Taylor Cabin
- Steel Creek Group Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Bear Creek
- Big Sheep Creek
- Deadman Creek, Sec. 9, T.17s. R.10w To Forest Boundary, Sec. 28, T.15s, R.10w
More reservoirs
Track Paul in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Paul
Where does the data for Paul come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Paul.