Hughes dam
Hughes
Hughes, also known as Melton Reservoir, is a privately owned water resource in Idaho with a primary purpose of irrigation. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this reservoir in Valley County was completed in 1957 and has a significant hazard potential due to its earth dam structure. With a dam height of 43.4 feet and a normal storage capacity of 141 acre-feet, Hughes plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Located in HWY 55, the Hughes reservoir spans over 11 acres with a drainage area of 2.8 square miles, fed by Stover Creek and Boulder Creek. Despite being state-regulated and having undergone inspections, the dam's condition assessment remains at a fair level as of the last inspection in 2017. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 9 feet, and the reservoir has a moderate risk rating of 3, indicating the importance of ongoing risk management measures to ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding community.
As a key irrigation water source in the area, Hughes reservoir showcases the intersection of water resource management and climate considerations in ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. With its stone core and earth dam construction, this privately owned reservoir serves as a vital asset for water supply and plays a significant role in supporting the agricultural landscape of Valley County, Idaho.
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 Hughes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fork Payette River Ab Jumbo Cr Nr Mccall Id | 396 cfs | → |
| Nf Payette River At Mccall Id | 825 cfs | → |
| Sf Salmon River Nr Krassel Ranger Station Id | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Yellow Pine Id | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 441 cfs | → |
| Ef Of Sf Salmon River At Stibnite Id | 93 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hughes.
Boat launches
- Valley County
- Warren Wagon Road Mccall
- National Forest Development Road 422 Valley County
- Lakeshore Drive 117, Cascade
- Main Street Valley County
- Fisher Creek Road Adams County
Campgrounds
- Paddy Flat Guard Station Rental Cabin
- Paddy Flat Dispersed Camping Area
- Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area
- Donnelly Lakeside City Park
- Willow Creek - Siscra
- Kennally Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Secesh To Main (The Canyon)
- Kelly's Whitewater Park
- Ponderosa Campground To Confluence With South Fork Salmon River
- Junction Fr 447 To Confluence With Johnson Creek
- Chinook Campground To Ponderosa Campground
- Cabarton
More reservoirs
Track Hughes 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 Hughes
Where does the data for Hughes 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 Significant 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 Hughes.