Moyie dam
Moyie
Moyie is a gravity dam nestled along the scenic Moyie River in Boundary, Idaho. Built in 1949 by designer C. F. Griggs, this hydroelectric structure stands at an impressive height of 92 feet, with a dam length of 376 feet and a storage capacity of 540 acre-feet. The dam serves a critical purpose in harnessing the power of the river for hydroelectric generation, with a maximum discharge capacity of 21,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Moyie Dam is regulated and inspected to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. With a spillway width of 96 feet and two slide gates for outlet control, the dam has a high hazard potential but a moderate risk assessment rating. Although the condition assessment is not available, the dam's emergency action plan is regularly updated and meets guidelines, ensuring prompt response to any potential risks or incidents.
Located just 8 miles from Bonners Ferry, Moyie Dam stands as a testament to sustainable energy generation and water resource management in the picturesque Idaho landscape. It serves as a vital infrastructure for both local government and environmental enthusiasts, showcasing the harmonious blend of technology and nature in the realm of water resources and climate preservation.
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 Moyie -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kootenai River Bel Moyie River Nr Bonners Ferry Id | 15,600 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River @ Tribal Hatchery Nr Bonners Ferry | 15,700 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River At Leonia Id | 13,900 cfs | → |
| Yaak River Near Troy Mt | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Moyie River At Eastport Id | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Kootenai River At Porthill Id | 15,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moyie.
Boat launches
- Us 2 Lincoln County
- National Forest Development Road 2394 Lincoln County
- Tavern Farm Road 15, Boundary County
- Kootenay River Road Area C
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Kootenai River
- Headwaters, East And North Fork Of The Yaak River To Yaak Falls, Sec. 4, T33n, R33w
- Yaak Falls, Sec. 4, T33n, R33w To Downstream To Bpa Powerline, 6 Miles West Of Troy
- 10 Miles From Surprise Gulch To A Mile Below Kootenai Vista Estates To 10 Miles From Surprise Gulch To A Mile Below Kootenai Vista Estates
- Long Canyon Pass, Sec. 30, T63n, R2w To Forest Boundary, Road #417, Sec. 25, T63n, R2w
More reservoirs
Track Moyie 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 Moyie
Where does the data for Moyie 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 Moyie.