Trail Creek dam
Trail Creek
Trail Creek, located in the picturesque city of Sun Valley, Idaho, is a privately owned structure that plays a vital role in water resource management. Built in 1937, this Timber Crib dam stands at a height of 22.9 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 66.5 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge of 1060 cubic feet per second, Trail Creek ensures the efficient regulation of water flow from the Big Wood River.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Trail Creek remains a crucial component of Idaho's water infrastructure, with state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures in place to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The dam serves multiple purposes, including water storage and flood control, and its associated structures contribute to the efficient management of the surrounding drainage area of 62.8 square miles. As a key feature in the region's water management system, Trail Creek is a prime example of the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of climate change challenges.
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 Trail Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trail Creek At Ketchum Id | 135 cfs | → |
| Warm Springs Cr At Guyer Hot Spr Nr Ketchum Id | 98 cfs | → |
| Nf Big Wood River Nr Sawtooth Nra Hq Nr Ketchum Id | 149 cfs | → |
| Big Wood River Nr Ketchum Id | 296 cfs | → |
| Big Wood River At Hailey Id Total Flow | 848 cfs | → |
| Big Wood R At S Broadford Bridge Nr Bellevue | 821 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Trail Creek.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Perkins Lake
- Alturas Lake And Pettit Lake Areas
- Yellowbelly Lake
- Marinac Fishing Access
- Redfish Lake
- Sunbeam Dam
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sawtooth Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Corral Creek
- West Fork Big Wood River To Confluence With Big Wood River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Button Creek
- Headwaters To Point Where Creek Turns Ne, Near Trail Creek Summit
- Headwaters To Confluence With North Fork Big Wood River
More reservoirs
Track Trail Creek 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 Trail Creek
Where does the data for Trail Creek 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 High 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 Trail Creek.