Cabinet Gorge

About Cabinet Gorge

The primary purpose of Cabinet Gorge is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Avista Corporation (private). It impounds the Clark Fork near Clark Fork, Id.

The dam stands 177 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,203 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 104,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22,073 square miles. Completed in 1952, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/27/2022.

At 177 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Idaho dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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