Dam Safety Program

Dams 10 feet or higher or which store more than 50 acre feet of water are regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (as are mine tailings impoundment structures).

Inspections & Reports

Idaho currently has 546 water storage dams and 21 mine tailings structures that are regulated by IDWR for safety. The Dam Safety Section inspects these dams or tailings structures every other year unless one has a particular problem.

Copies of all inspection reports for each of the dams and tailing structures are available at the IDWR State Office in Boise. Inspection reports are also available at the four IDWR Regional Offices for dams and tailing structures located in their specific regions.

Read about the risk and size classification given to each dam.

IDWR Regulated Dams

A list of the dams that are regulated by IDWR. [PDF]

Photos

Look through photographs and information about some of Idaho's notable dams.

Albeni Falls Dam

American Falls Dam

Anderson Ranch Dam

Arrowrock Dam

Dworshak Dam

Lucky Peak Dam

Forms

Application to Construct a Small Dam[PDF]

Application to Construct or Alter an Intermediate or Large Dam[PDF]

Application for Construction of a Mine Tailings Impoundment Structure[PDF]

Rules

Safety of Dams Rules[PDF]

Mine Tailings Impoundment Structures Rules[PDF]