Mill Creek Lake dam
Mill Creek Lake
Mill Creek Lake in Lemhi, Idaho, is a privately owned water resource with a state-regulated dam that was completed in 1928. The dam, primarily made of earth and stone, stands at a height of 19.3 feet and has a hydraulic height of 15.8 feet, creating a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway and low hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in fair condition as of its last inspection in 2016.
This scenic lake covers a surface area of 29 acres and is fed by Mill Creek and the Lemhi River. Its primary purpose is classified as "Other," and it serves as a vital water source for the surrounding area. Despite its fair condition assessment, the risk assessment for Mill Creek Lake is rated as very high (1), indicating a need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this important water resource in Idaho.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Lemhi County and situated within the Walla Walla District, Mill Creek Lake offers a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its historic dam structure, ample storage capacity, and picturesque setting, this lake is not only a valuable resource for the community but also a captivating destination for those who appreciate the intersection of water management and environmental stewardship.
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 Mill Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lemhi River Nr Lemhi Id | 135 cfs | → |
| Pahsimeroi River At Ellis Id | 235 cfs | → |
| Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion Near Salmon | 42 cfs | → |
| Salmon River At Salmon Id | 2,890 cfs | → |
| Little Lost River Bl Wet Creek Nr Howe Id | 97 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Jackson Mt | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Creek Lake.
Campgrounds
- Big Eightmile Campground/Trailhead
- Big Eightmile /Trailhead
- Morse Creek Campground
- Timber Creek Reservoir - Upper
- Mcfarland Recreation Site
- Mcfarland Campground
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Wade Creek
- Trailhead To Confluence With Hayden Creek
- Wade Creek To Nf Boundary
- Bear Valley Lake To Trailhead
- Cow Creek
- Colston To The Town Of Salmon
More reservoirs
Track Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Lake
Where does the data for Mill Creek 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 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 Mill Creek Lake.