Olson dam
Olson
Olson is a privately owned water resource structure located in Elmore, Idaho, designed by the USDA NRCS for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1981, this earth dam stands at a height of 23.6 feet and has a hydraulic height of 18.6 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet and is situated on an unnamed stream connected to Camas Creek, with a drainage area of 2.7 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Olson has a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam has a spillway width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 280 cubic feet per second. While the structure has not been modified in recent years, it is regularly inspected by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, with the last assessment conducted in October 2018. With its stone core and rock and soil foundations, Olson plays a crucial role in water management and irrigation in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Olson to be an intriguing example of a privately owned irrigation dam in Idaho. Its location on a tributary of Camas Creek, its storage capacity of 119 acre-feet, and its low hazard potential make it a notable structure in the region. The dam's design by the USDA NRCS and its regular inspections by the Idaho Department of Water Resources ensure its continued functionality and safety. Overall, Olson serves as a vital component of the local water infrastructure, contributing to both agricultural irrigation and water resource management in the area.
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 Olson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Boise River At Anderson Ranch Dam Id | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Sf Boise River Nr Featherville Id | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Snake River At King Hill Id | 5,980 cfs | → |
| Canyon Cr At Oregon Trail Xing Nr Mountain Home Id | 46 cfs | → |
| Malad River Nr Gooding Id | 109 cfs | → |
| Camas Creek Nr Blaine Id | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olson.
Boat launches
- Fh61 Elmore County
- Camas Reservoir Road Elmore County
- Pine Campground Boat Ramp
- National Forest Development Road 113 Elmore County
- Danskin Floatboat Access
Campgrounds
- Hunter Creek Transfer Camp
- Little Camas Reservoir
- Curlew Creek Campground
- Curlew Creek
- Castle Creek Campground
- Pine Campground
Paddle runs
- Snake River
- Anderson Ranch Dam To Confluence With Mennecke Creek
- Headwaters To Sawtooth Nf Boundary
- Mennecke Creek To Confluence With Trail Creek
- Alta Creek To Confluence With Feather River
More reservoirs
Track Olson 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 Olson
Where does the data for Olson 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 Olson.