Lucky Peak Dam dam
Lucky Peak Dam
Lucky Peak Dam, located in Boise, Idaho, serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and recreation. Completed in 1955 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam stands at a structural height of 340 feet and has a storage capacity of over 300,000 acre-feet. While the dam greatly reduces flood risks downstream, there is still a potential for localized flooding during peak periods, necessitating careful management of water releases.
Despite its strong track record, Lucky Peak Dam is classified as having a "HIGH" hazard potential due to the possibility of catastrophic failure and the potential risks to surrounding communities. USACE conducts regular risk assessments and maintains close coordination with weather and emergency management agencies to optimize dam operations and respond promptly to any potential threats. The agency also monitors the dam during high water events and following earthquakes to address any performance issues that may arise, ensuring the safety and reliability of Lucky Peak Dam for the future.
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 Lucky Peak Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek Bel Fivemile Cr Nr Boise Id | 1 cfs | → |
| Mores Creek Ab Robie Creek Nr Arrowrock Dam Id | 218 cfs | → |
| Boise River At Glenwood Bridge Nr Boise Id | 1,740 cfs | → |
| Sf Boise River At Neal Bridge Nr Arrowrock Dam Id | 360 cfs | → |
| Boise River South Channel At Eagle Id | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Boise River Nr Twin Springs Id | 2,190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lucky Peak Dam.
Boat launches
- Robie Creek Road Boise County
- South Swan Falls Road Ada County
- Danskin Floatboat Access
- National Forest Development Road 113 Elmore County
- Celebration Park
- Upper Embankment Road Canyon County
Campgrounds
- Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed
- Macks Creek
- Gowen Field Military
- Indian Creek Reservoir
- Willow Creek Campground (Mountain Home)
- Shafer Butte Cg And Group Sites - Reserve - Tent
Paddle runs
- Trail Creek To Confluence With Crank Creek
- Boise Nf Boundary To Confluence With Willow Creek
- Mennecke Creek To Confluence With Trail Creek
- Confluence With Granite Creek To Confluence With Pine Creek
- Anderson Ranch Dam To Confluence With Mennecke Creek
- Confluence With Rabbit Creek To Confluence With Middle Fork Boise River
Track Lucky Peak Dam 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 Lucky Peak Dam
Where does the data for Lucky Peak Dam 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 Lucky Peak Dam.