Gatfield No 1 dam
Gatfield No 1
Gatfield No 1, also known as Gatfield Lower Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Gem County, Idaho. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 16.2 feet and has a hydraulic height of 13.3 feet. It serves as a crucial resource for water management in the area, with a normal storage capacity of 14 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles, primarily impacting Rock Creek and the Payette River.
Despite its age, Gatfield No 1 has been consistently regulated and inspected by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a fair condition assessment and is classified as having a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk level. With a spillway width of 9 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 26 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a vital role in flood control and water storage in the region, contributing to the overall water resource management efforts.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, Gatfield No 1 continues to be an important structure for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates alike. Its history, design, and impact on the surrounding environment make it a fascinating subject for those interested in the intersection of water management, engineering, and environmental sustainability. The ongoing maintenance and regulatory oversight of Gatfield No 1 reflect a commitment to preserving and enhancing water resources for future generations, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship of our natural resources.
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 Gatfield No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Payette River Nr Horseshoe Bend Id | 6,140 cfs | → |
| Payette River Nr Emmett Id | 5,450 cfs | → |
| Spring Valley Creek Nr Eagle Id | 0 cfs | → |
| Dry Creek Nr Eagle Id | 0 cfs | → |
| Eagle Drain At Eagle | 44 cfs | → |
| Nf Payette River Nr Banks Id | 2,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gatfield No 1.
Boat launches
- Parnell Recreation Site
- Beehive Bend
- Banks River Access
- Deer Creek
- Confluence
- Robie Creek Road Boise County
Campgrounds
- Montour
- Shafer Butte
- Shafer Butte Cg And Group Sites - Reserve - Tent
- Swinging Bridge Campground - Reserve
- Swinging Bridge
- Cold Springs Group Only Campground - Reserve
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Boise Nf Boundary (1 Mile East Of Banks) To Boise Nf Boundary (1 Mile South Of Banks)
- Boise Nf Boundary To Confluence With Payette River
- South Fork Payette
- Long Gulch To Boise Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Granite Creek To Confluence With Pine Creek
- Confluence With Bell Creek To Boiling Springs Cabin
Track Gatfield No 1 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 Gatfield No 1
Where does the data for Gatfield No 1 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 Significant 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 Gatfield No 1.