Bliss dam
Bliss
Bliss, located in Gooding, Idaho, is a privately owned hydroelectric facility on the Snake River that was completed in 1950. With a dam height of 140 feet and a storage capacity of 8,415 acre-feet, Bliss plays a crucial role in water resource management and electricity generation in the region. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the facility is also used for recreational purposes, offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy.
The dam at Bliss is constructed of concrete and has a controlled spillway with a width of 216 feet. The facility has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections by the Idaho Department of Water Resources to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the condition assessment is currently not available, emergency action plans are in place to address any potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities in the event of an emergency.
Bliss serves as a key component of the water infrastructure in Idaho, contributing to the state's energy production and water supply management. With its strategic location on the Snake River and its significant storage capacity, Bliss plays a vital role in supporting both the local economy and the environment. As a site of high risk and high importance, the facility is closely monitored and regulated to ensure its continued operation and safety for all stakeholders involved.
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 Bliss -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River At King Hill Id | 5,980 cfs | → |
| N Channel Snake R @ Upper Salmon Falls Nr Hagerman | 79 cfs | → |
| Malad River Nr Gooding Id | 109 cfs | → |
| Salmon Falls Creek Nr Hagerman Id | 51 cfs | → |
| Snake River Nr Buhl Id | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Bruneau River Nr Hot Spring Id | 144 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bliss.
Campgrounds
- Three Island Crossing State Park
- Emigrant Reservoir Dispersed Recreation Site
- Morrow Reservoir Dispersed Recreation Site
- Blair Trail Reservoir
- Gooding City Of Rocks Dispersed Area
- Little City Of Rocks Dispersed Area
Track Bliss 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 Bliss
Where does the data for Bliss 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 Bliss.