Murtaugh Lake dam
Murtaugh Lake
Murtaugh Lake, located in Twin Falls, Idaho, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of irrigation. The dam, completed in 1905, stands at a height of 42.2 feet and has a controlled spillway with a width of 26 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 7,720 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 827 acres, serving as a vital water resource for the region.
With a drainage area of 238 square miles, Murtaugh Lake plays a crucial role in water management and agriculture in the area. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2019. Its location near the Snake River and Dry Creek makes it a key component of the local water infrastructure, ensuring a stable water supply for irrigation purposes.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Murtaugh Lake an intriguing example of early 20th-century dam engineering, with its earth and stone construction standing the test of time. The reservoir's risk assessment is marked as very high, emphasizing the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and efficiency of this vital water resource for the community.
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 Murtaugh Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Gaging Station At Milner Id | · | → |
| Devils Washbowl Spring Nr Kimberly 10s 18e 04aad1s | 9 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Ab Hwy 30/93 Xing At Twin Falls Id | 59 cfs | → |
| Blue Lakes Spring Bl Pump Plant Nr Twin Falls Id | 149 cfs | → |
| Snake River Nr Twin Falls Id | 398 cfs | → |
| Trapper Creek Nr Oakley Id | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murtaugh Lake.
Boat launches
- Murtaugh Boat Launch
- Trout Point Boat Launch
- Willow Point Boat Launch
- Twin Falls Grade 3670, Twin Falls County
- Twin Falls
- Bedke Boulevard Burley
Campgrounds
- Murtaugh Lake Rv Park
- Milner Historic Recreation Area
- Bass Point Dispersed Area
- Bass Bay Dispersed Area
- Schipper
- Schipper Campground
Paddle runs
Track Murtaugh Lake 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 Murtaugh Lake
Where does the data for Murtaugh Lake 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 Murtaugh Lake.