Minidoka South Dike dam
Minidoka South Dike
Minidoka South Dike, located in Heyburn, Idaho, along the Snake River, is a crucial structure with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1906 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 21 feet and stretches 788 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 210,200 acre-feet for irrigation, recreation, and power generation. The dam is regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
With a high hazard potential due to its location and function, Minidoka South Dike is closely monitored for any risks or issues that may arise. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management in the region, serving as a critical infrastructure for the surrounding communities. The dam has no spillway and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, making it essential for flood control and water management in the area.
As part of the Bureau of Reclamation's operations, Minidoka South Dike contributes to the overall water management strategy in Cassia County, Idaho. With its impressive history and ongoing maintenance, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources and climate resilience in the region. Its continued presence ensures a reliable water supply for irrigation, recreation, and power generation for years to come.
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 Minidoka South Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake R Nr Minidoka Id (At Howells Ferry) | 7,710 cfs | → |
| Snake River Gaging Station At Milner Id | · | → |
| Snake River At Neeley Id | 9,900 cfs | → |
| Raft River Ab Onemile Creek Nr Malta Id | 2 cfs | → |
| Trapper Creek Nr Oakley Id | 23 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek Ab Trapper Creek Nr Oakley Id | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Minidoka South Dike.
Boat launches
- 200 East Road Minidoka County
- North Overland Avenue Burley
- Bedke Boulevard Burley
- Willow Point Boat Launch
- Trout Point Boat Launch
Track Minidoka South Dike 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 Minidoka South Dike
Where does the data for Minidoka South Dike 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 Minidoka South Dike.