Rhead Ranch dam
Rhead Ranch
Rhead Ranch, located in Elmore, Idaho, is a privately owned irrigation structure regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Completed in 1974, this earth dam on the Little Camas Creek South Fork Boise River stands at a height of 33.7 feet and has a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet. With a surface area of 32 acres and a drainage area of 41 square miles, the dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation for the surrounding agricultural lands.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a satisfactory condition assessment, Rhead Ranch faces a moderate risk due to its location and design. The spillway, which is uncontrolled with a width of 10 feet, allows for a maximum discharge of 650 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections are conducted every 5 years to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam, with the last assessment taking place in October 2017. The emergency action plan and risk management measures for the structure are currently under review, highlighting the importance of maintaining preparedness in the face of potential climate-related challenges.
Overall, Rhead Ranch serves as a crucial water resource for agricultural activities in the area, while also facing moderate risks associated with its design and location. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor and support the ongoing maintenance and regulatory efforts to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital irrigation structure in Idaho.
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 Rhead Ranch -- 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 | → |
| Canyon Cr At Oregon Trail Xing Nr Mountain Home Id | 46 cfs | → |
| Sf Boise River At Neal Bridge Nr Arrowrock Dam Id | 360 cfs | → |
| Snake River At King Hill Id | 5,980 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 Rhead Ranch.
Boat launches
- Camas Reservoir Road Elmore County
- Fh61 Elmore County
- Pine Campground Boat Ramp
- National Forest Development Road 113 Elmore County
- Danskin Floatboat Access
Campgrounds
- Little Camas Reservoir
- Tailwaters Campground
- Castle Creek Campground
- Fall Creek
- Curlew Creek Campground
- Pine Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Anderson Ranch Dam To Confluence With Mennecke Creek
- Mennecke Creek To Confluence With Trail Creek
- Headwaters To Sawtooth Nf Boundary
- Trail Creek To Confluence With Crank Creek
- Alta Creek To Confluence With Feather River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Alta Creek
More reservoirs
Track Rhead Ranch 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 Rhead Ranch
Where does the data for Rhead Ranch 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 Rhead Ranch.