China Hat Dike
China Hat Dike is an earth dam located in Caribou County, Idaho, built in 1923. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About China Hat Dike
The primary purpose of China Hat Dike is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bia (federal). It impounds the Tr-blackfoot River.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18,710 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 388,390 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 567 square miles. Completed in 1923, 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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/23/2023.
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.
Location
| State | Idaho |
| County | Caribou |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Tr-blackfoot River |
| Coordinates | 42.84160, -111.60170 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 388,390 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 388,390 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 332,390 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 18,710 acres |
| Drainage Area | 567 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 36,380 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BIA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/23/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ID00266 |
| Federal ID | ID00204S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |