Post Falls Middle Channel is a private-owned hydroelectric dam located in Idaho along the Spokane River.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1906 by Washington Water Power, this gravity dam stands at a height of 64 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 225,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 48,000 acres and a drainage area of 3,784 acres, the dam serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Post Falls Middle Channel has a high hazard potential due to its location and design. While the condition assessment is not available, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2020. Despite the high risk associated with the dam, inspection and enforcement by the Idaho Department of Water Resources are in place to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan is designed to meet guidelines, although specific risk management measures and inundation maps are not readily available. With its historical significance and continued operational importance, Post Falls Middle Channel stands as a testament to the intersection of water resources management, climate resilience, and energy production in the Pacific Northwest region.
Year Completed |
1906 |
Dam Length |
215 |
Dam Height |
64 |
River Or Stream |
Spokane River |
Primary Dam Type |
Gravity |
Surface Area |
48000 |
Hydraulic Height |
58.4 |
Drainage Area |
3784 |
Nid Storage |
225000 |
Structural Height |
64 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
64 |
Spokane River Nr Post Falls Id
|
5530cfs |
Spokane River Blw Blackwell Nr Coeur D Alene Id
|
5650cfs |
Coeur D Alene River Nr Harrison Id
|
47cfs |
Little Spokane River At Dartford
|
181cfs |
Spokane River At Spokane
|
5050cfs |
Hangman Creek At Spokane
|
30cfs |