Lower Diversion

Snake River· Bonneville, Idaho· Built 1982· Gravity· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Diversion is classified as low hazard in Idaho. It was completed in 1982 and is 44 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 9.3% in ID)
Dam Length1,380 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area100 acres
Drainage Area9,800 sq mi
Max Discharge75,000 cfs
Year Completed1982 (44 years old)
NID IDID00340

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 28, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDWR

Ownership

City of Idaho Falls

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Diversion?

Lower Diversion is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lower Diversion?

Lower Diversion is owned by City of Idaho Falls (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Diversion built?

Lower Diversion was completed in 1982, making it 44 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 Lower Diversion?

Lower Diversion serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower Diversion?

Lower Diversion has a dam height of 14 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 Lower Diversion last inspected?

Lower Diversion was last inspected on September 28, 2017. 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.