Pitkin dam
Pitkin
Pitkin is a private dam located in Valley, Idaho, along Skunk Creek and Clear Creek. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 20.9 feet and has a hydraulic height of 17.4 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 15.8 acres, Pitkin poses a significant hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway type and fair condition assessment.
Despite its recreational primary purpose, Pitkin is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, with state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam's inspection frequency is set at 4 times a year, with the last assessment conducted in September 2020. The risk assessment for Pitkin indicates a moderate risk level, with emergency action plans and risk management measures needing further development to ensure the safety of downstream communities in case of a potential failure.
Located in the Walla Walla District and under the representation of Congressman Russ Fulcher, Pitkin serves as a vital water resource in the region. With its associated structures being non-existent and a focus on recreational activities, Pitkin is an integral part of the water infrastructure in Valley, Idaho. Ensuring the continued maintenance and safety of this dam is essential for the sustainable management of water resources and climate resilience in the area.
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 Pitkin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deadwood River Bl Deadwood Res Nr Lowman Id | 210 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Payette River Nr Crouch Id | 269 cfs | → |
| Nf Payette River Nr Banks Id | 1,910 cfs | → |
| Sf Payette River At Lowman Id | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Payette River Nr Horseshoe Bend Id | 3,820 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 140 cfs | → |
About Pitkin
Where does the data for Pitkin 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 below 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.
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.