Billy Creek dam
Billy Creek
Located in Lemhi County, Idaho, Billy Creek is a privately owned irrigation structure that has been regulating water flow since it was completed in 1916. With a height of 15.6 feet and a hydraulic height of 12.7 feet, this earth dam on the Salmon River watershed serves a vital role in supplying water for agricultural purposes in the region. The dam has a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and covers a drainage area of 0.5 square miles.
Despite its historical significance, Billy Creek has a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2016. The dam is classified as low hazard potential, but its risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk. In terms of regulatory oversight, the Idaho Department of Water Resources is responsible for permitting, inspecting, and enforcing regulations related to the operation of Billy Creek. The structure also falls under state jurisdiction and is subject to state regulatory agencies.
As a key component of the irrigation infrastructure in the area, Billy Creek plays a crucial role in water resource management and agricultural production. Climate and water resource enthusiasts interested in understanding the impact of aging infrastructure on water availability and the environment may find the case of Billy Creek to be an intriguing example of the challenges facing dams in the western United States. The need for ongoing maintenance and improvements to ensure the safety and effectiveness of structures like Billy Creek highlights the complex relationship between water resources, climate variability, and infrastructure resilience.
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 Billy Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River At Salmon Id | 5,380 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion Near Salmon | 172 cfs | → |
| Napias Creek Below Arnett Creek Near Leesburg | 95 cfs | → |
| Blackbird Creek Near Cobalt | 12 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Nr Lemhi Id | 219 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Billy Creek.
Boat launches
- Us 93 West Salmon
- Us 93 East Salmon
- Us 93 Lemhi County
- Diamond Creek Road Lemhi County
- Elevenmile Day Use Area
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Billy 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 Billy Creek
Where does the data for Billy 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 Low 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 Billy Creek.