Magic Dam dam
Magic Dam
Located in Shoshone, Idaho, Magic Dam stands as a testament to innovative hydroelectric technology, serving multiple purposes including irrigation. Built in 1910, this earth dam stretches 3,100 feet in length and reaches a height of 128 feet, with a storage capacity of 195,000 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the Big Wood River, not only generates hydroelectric power but also aids in irrigation, benefiting the surrounding community and agricultural activities.
Managed by a private entity, Magic Dam is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, ensuring proper inspection, permitting, and enforcement measures are in place. With a spillway width of 1,200 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 97,000 cubic feet per second, the dam's uncontrolled spillway adds to its high hazard potential. Despite its age, Magic Dam has undergone periodic inspections, most recently in September 2020, and is equipped with emergency action plans to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of downstream communities.
With its strategic location in Blaine County, Magic Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a key infrastructure for both power generation and irrigation, this historic dam continues to uphold its mission of providing essential services while adhering to regulatory guidelines set forth by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As climate change poses new challenges, the maintenance and safety of Magic Dam remain paramount to safeguarding its surrounding environment and ensuring sustainable water resource management for future generations.
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 Magic Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Wood River Bl Magic Dam Nr Richfield Id | 900 cfs | → |
| Big Wood River At Stanton Crossing Nr Bellevue Id | 252 cfs | → |
| Camas Creek Nr Blaine Id | 11 cfs | → |
| Silver Creek At Sportsman Access Nr Picabo Id | 110 cfs | → |
| Big Wood R At S Broadford Bridge Nr Bellevue | 821 cfs | → |
| Big Wood River At Hailey Id Total Flow | 848 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Magic Dam.
Campgrounds
- Magic Reservoir
- Myrtle Point - Magic Reservoir
- Myrtle Point Recreation Site
- Lava Point - Magic Reservoir
- Lava Recreation Site
- Moonstone Recreation Site
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sawtooth Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Corral Creek
- Headwaters To Confluence With Button Creek
- Headwaters To Section 7
- Headwaters To Confluence With Little Wood River
- West Fork Big Wood River To Confluence With Big Wood River
More reservoirs
Track Magic Dam 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 Magic Dam
Where does the data for Magic Dam 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 Magic Dam.