Arrowrock Dam

Arrowrock Dam is a concrete dam located in Boise County, Idaho, built in 1915. It carries a High hazard potential classification.

About Arrowrock Dam

The primary purpose of Arrowrock Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Boise River Snake River near Boise.

The dam stands 350 feet tall and stretches 1,150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,256 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 272,224 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,216 square miles. Completed in 1915, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/05/2021.

At 350 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.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardNot Available ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateIdaho
CountyBoise
Nearest CityBoise
River/StreamBoise River Snake River
Coordinates43.59540, -115.92250

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height350 ft
Dam Height350 ft
Dam Length1,150 ft
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage272,224 acre-ft
Max Storage272,224 acre-ft
Normal Storage272,224 acre-ft
Surface Area3,256 acres
Drainage Area2,216 sq mi
Max Discharge16,080 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerBUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Owner TypeFederal
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentNot Available
Last Inspection05/05/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDID00280
Federal IDID00280
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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