Gardiner Lower dam
Gardiner Lower
Gardiner Lower, also known as Lower Gardiner Reservoir, is a private-owned water resource located in Bear Lake, Idaho. This reservoir serves primarily for irrigation purposes and was completed in 1935. With a dam height of 20.8 feet and a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet, Gardiner Lower plays a crucial role in water management for the surrounding area.
Despite its importance, Gardiner Lower faces some challenges in terms of its condition assessment, which has been rated as poor. The reservoir has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures. The last inspection in May 2018 highlighted the need for improvements to ensure the safety and efficiency of the structure.
Located in a remote area with Wood Canyon Creek and Thomas Fork Creek as its primary water sources, Gardiner Lower represents a vital piece of infrastructure for the local community. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, this reservoir serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Gardiner Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear River At Border | 218 cfs | → |
| Smiths Fork Near Border | 359 cfs | → |
| Bear River At Pescadero | 894 cfs | → |
| Bear River Below Smiths Fork | 282 cfs | → |
| Hams Fork Below Pole Creek | 132 cfs | → |
| Crow C Nr Fairview Wyo | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gardiner Lower.
Campgrounds
- Montpelier Canyon
- Montpelier Canyon Campground
- Montpellier Campground Canyon
- Montpelier Creek Koa Journey
- Allred Flat Campground
- Allred Flat
Paddle runs
- Raymond Creek
- Huff Creek
- Inlet To Marsh On Spring Creek To Outlet Of Marsh On Spring Creek
- Salt River Trailhead To Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Snowslide Creek To West Boundary Of Patented Mining Claim Just Inside The Caribou Nf Boundary
- Source To Salt River Trailhead
More reservoirs
Track Gardiner Lower 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 Gardiner Lower
Where does the data for Gardiner Lower 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 Gardiner Lower.