Ririe dam
Ririe
Ririe is a federally-owned dam located in Bonneville, Idaho, along the Willow Creek river. Completed in 1976 by the Bureau of Reclamation, this rockfill dam stands at an impressive height of 253 feet, with a storage capacity of over 100,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 40,000 cubic feet per second. The dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for irrigation and recreation in the surrounding area.
Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Ririe Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, emergency action plans are crucial for ensuring public safety in the event of a dam failure. Despite limited information on the dam's condition assessment, the last inspection in May 2020 and the preparedness for emergencies, such as flood inundation maps and risk management measures, are essential components in safeguarding the surrounding communities.
Ririe Dam's strategic location in Bonneville, Idaho, and its significant role in flood risk reduction highlight its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a key infrastructure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the dam's integrity and the safety of downstream areas. With its critical functions and potential risks, Ririe serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of proactive dam safety measures in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Ririe -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Creek Nr Ririe Id | 64 cfs | → |
| Dry Bed Nr Ririe Id | 3,500 cfs | → |
| Snake River Nr Heise Id | 13,200 cfs | → |
| Sand Creek Ab Willow Creek Div Nr Ucon Id | 401 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Floodway Channel Nr Ucon Id | 0 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Bl Floodway Channel Nr Ucon Id | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ririe.
Boat launches
- Bonneville County
- Byington Boat Ramp
- Heise Bridge Boat Access
- East Lincoln Road Bonneville County
- Wolf Flats Recreation Area
Campgrounds
- Juniper Park - Ririe Reservoir
- Juniper Co Park
- Aspen Grove Inn
- Kelly Island Campground
- Kelly Island
- Clark Hill B
Fishing spots
- Palisades Reservoir
- Ashton Reservoir
- Pritchard Boating Site
- Jenny Lake
- Astoria Boating Site
- Elbow Boating Site
Track Ririe 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 Ririe
Where does the data for Ririe 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 Ririe.