Little Payette Lake Main

LITTLE PAYETTE LAKE LAKE FORK· Valley, Idaho· Built 1926· 25 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Little Payette Lake Main is classified as high hazard in Idaho. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 43.7% in ID)
Dam Length225 ft
Normal Storage10.3K acre-ft
Surface Area1,450 acres
Drainage Area64 sq mi
Max Discharge3,000 cfs
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
Year Modified1952
NID IDID00243

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 17, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDWR

Ownership

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little Payette Lake Main?

Little Payette Lake Main is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Little Payette Lake Main?

Little Payette Lake Main is owned by information not available (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little Payette Lake Main built?

Little Payette Lake Main was completed in 1926, making it 100 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Little Payette Lake Main?

Little Payette Lake Main serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Little Payette Lake Main?

Little Payette Lake Main has a dam height of 25 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Little Payette Lake Main last inspected?

Little Payette Lake Main was last inspected on September 17, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.