Horseshoe Bend Diversion dam
Horseshoe Bend Diversion
Horseshoe Bend Diversion, located in Boise, Idaho, is a private hydroelectric facility on the Payette River. Completed in 1995, this dam stands at 8 feet tall and spans 220 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this diversion is regulated by both state and federal agencies, including the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Despite its small size, Horseshoe Bend Diversion plays a crucial role in water resource management and renewable energy production in the region. The dam's uncontrolled spillway has a width of 220 feet, allowing for the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. The facility's emergency action plan, last revised in December 2020, ensures that proper measures are in place to address any potential risks associated with the dam.
In addition to its primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, Horseshoe Bend Diversion also serves as a valuable asset for recreation and wildlife habitat in the area. With its strategic location and efficient operations, this facility continues to contribute to the sustainable development and preservation of water resources and climate resilience 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 Horseshoe Bend Diversion -- 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 | → |
| Nf Payette River Nr Banks Id | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Eagle Drain At Eagle | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseshoe Bend Diversion.
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
- Hot Springs
- Hot Springs Campground And Group Sites - Reserve
- Grayback Gulch
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
- Pine Flats Creek To Long Gulch
Track Horseshoe Bend Diversion 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 Horseshoe Bend Diversion
Where does the data for Horseshoe Bend Diversion 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 Horseshoe Bend Diversion.