Priest Lake

PRIEST LAKE PRIEST RIVER· Bonner, Idaho· Built 1979· 12 ft tall
Significant Hazard Other State Government

Key Takeaway

Priest Lake is classified as significant hazard in Idaho. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is other. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 4.1% in ID)
Dam Length194 ft
Normal Storage76.1K acre-ft
Surface Area23,800 acres
Drainage Area572 sq mi
Max Discharge4,400 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDID00318

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 9, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDWR

Ownership

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Priest Lake?

Priest Lake is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Priest Lake?

Priest Lake is owned by information not available (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Priest Lake built?

Priest Lake was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Priest Lake?

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

How tall is Priest Lake?

Priest Lake has a dam height of 12 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 Priest Lake last inspected?

Priest Lake was last inspected on May 9, 2019. 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.