Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay

Snake River· Twin Falls, Idaho· Built 1947· Concrete· 70 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay is classified as low hazard in Idaho. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 70 ft (taller than 86.9% in ID)
Dam Length318 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area32,200 sq mi
Max Discharge6,500 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDID83073

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 20, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IDWR

Ownership

Idaho Power Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay 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 Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay is owned by Idaho Power Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay built?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay has a dam height of 70 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 Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay last inspected?

Upper Salmon Falls B-Plant Forebay was last inspected on September 20, 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.