Soda

Bear River· Caribou, Idaho· Built 1925· Concrete· 103 ft tall

High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Soda is classified as high hazard in Idaho. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 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	103 ft (taller than 93.3% in ID)
Dam Length	492 ft
Dam Type	Concrete
Max Storage	16.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage	15.2K acre-ft

Surface Area	1,100 acres
Drainage Area	3,970 sq mi
Max Discharge	45,150 cfs
Year Completed	1925 (101 years old)
NID ID	ID00060

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: June 28, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: IDWR

Ownership

PacifiCorp

Private

Nearby Dams

Grace Dike

Caribou, ID

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Soda Creek Dike

Caribou, ID

Low Hazard 16 ft

Soda Creek Main Dam

Caribou, ID

High Hazard 36 ft

Itafos Cooling Pond

Caribou, ID

High Hazard 20 ft

Conda Site Mtis (Simplot)

Caribou, ID

Significant Hazard 45 ft

Itafos Tailings Pond #4

Caribou, ID

Significant Hazard 71 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Soda?

Soda 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 Soda?

Soda is owned by PacifiCorp (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Soda built?

Soda was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Soda?

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

How tall is Soda?

Soda has a dam height of 103 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 Soda last inspected?

Soda was last inspected on June 28, 2022. 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.