Oneida Main dam
Oneida Main
Oneida Main is a captivating water resource infrastructure located in Idaho, specifically in the city of Preston. This concrete dam, completed in 1920, serves multiple purposes including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. With a height of 114 feet and a hydraulic height of 95 feet, this structure boasts a storage capacity of 19,000 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 10,880 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Bear River and has a controlled spillway with a width of 75 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 74,270 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Oneida Main is regulated, inspected, and enforced by both state and federal agencies to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, with a risk assessment rating of very high (1), indicating the need for stringent risk management measures. The structure features Tainter (radial) outlet gates and is associated with one other structure, ID00068S001. Despite the lack of available condition assessment data, the dam remains a vital component of water resource management in the region, providing essential water supply for irrigation and power generation.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Oneida Main to be a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. This historic dam not only plays a crucial role in water storage and flood control but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices through irrigation support. With its impressive storage capacity, high hazard potential, and meticulous regulatory oversight, Oneida Main stands as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Oneida Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River At Idaho-Utah State Line | 656 cfs | → |
| Bear River At Pescadero | 502 cfs | → |
| Portneuf River At Topaz Id | 203 cfs | → |
| Marsh Creek Nr Mccammon Id | 22 cfs | → |
| Bear River At Border | 257 cfs | → |
| Logan River Above State Dam | 405 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oneida Main.
Campgrounds
- Maple Grove
- Redpoint
- Redpoint Recreation Site
- Albert Moser Campground
- Albert Moser
- Marijuana Flat Campground
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Snowslide Creek To West Boundary Of Patented Mining Claim Just Inside The Caribou Nf Boundary
- Hgh Creek Lake To Nf Boundary
- Black Canyon - Highway 34 To Grace Powerhouse
- Idaho State Line To Confluence With Beaver Creek
- Source To Mouth
- Southern Boundary Of State Land To Mouth
Track Oneida Main 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 Oneida Main
Where does the data for Oneida Main 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 Oneida Main.