Deadwood Dam

About Deadwood Dam

The primary purpose of Deadwood Dam 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 Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Deadwood River South Fork Payette River near Garden Valley.

The dam stands 165 feet tall and stretches 749 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 153,992 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 109 square miles. Completed in 1931, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 09/23/2020.

At 165 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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