Payette Lake dam
Payette Lake
Payette Lake, also known as Lardo Dam, is a private water resource located in McCall, Idaho. The lake is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources and is considered to be a significant hazard potential with a fair condition assessment. It was completed in 1943 and has a storage capacity of 41,000 acre-feet, with a surface area of 5,337 acres and a drainage area of 144 square miles.
The dam, made of concrete with a multi-arch core, stands at a height of 13.3 feet and has a hydraulic height of 7.3 feet. It has a controlled spillway with a width of 124 feet, and there are no outlet gates associated with the structure. The risk assessment for the dam is considered very high (1), indicating the potential for significant consequences in the event of a failure. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last assessment taking place in September 2020.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Payette Lake offers a fascinating study in dam infrastructure and management. Its historical significance, unique design features, and potential risk factors make it a compelling subject for those interested in the intersection of water resources and environmental protection. The lake's location in the picturesque Valley County, surrounded by the natural beauty of Idaho, adds to its allure as a key site for understanding the complexities of water management in a changing climate.
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 Payette Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Payette River At Mccall Id | 825 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Payette River Ab Jumbo Cr Nr Mccall Id | 529 cfs | → |
| Sf Salmon River Nr Krassel Ranger Station Id | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Johnson Creek At Yellow Pine Id | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Weiser River Nr Cambridge Id | 420 cfs | → |
| Little Salmon River At Riggins Id | 1,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Payette Lake.
Boat launches
- Warren Wagon Road Mccall
- Fisher Creek Road Adams County
- Grouse Creek Campground Road Adams County
- Valley County
- Granite Lake Dam Road Valley County
- National Forest Development Road 422 Valley County
Campgrounds
- Mccall Campground & Rv Park
- Ponderosa State Park
- Last Chance Campground
- Last Chance
- Lake Fork Campground
- Brundage Reservoir Camping Area
Track Payette Lake 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 Payette Lake
Where does the data for Payette Lake 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 Payette Lake.