C. J. Strike Dam
Encyclopedia
C. J. Strike Dam is an earth-fill type hydroelectric
dam
on the Snake River
, just below the Bruneau River
confluence, in the U.S. state
of Idaho
. Its location is near Grand View, Idaho
. Its impoundment extends 36 miles (57.9 km) up the Snake River and 12 miles (19 km²) up the Bruneau River.
The dam's powerplant has a nameplate capacity of 82.8 MW.
The dam was named after Clifford J. Strike, the general manager of Idaho Power Company
from 1938 to 1948.
Due to the poor fish passage performance of Swan Falls Dam
, the C.J. Strike Dam, upriver from Swan Falls, was built without fish passage facilities. Thus the two dams combined became the first artificial barrier to anadromous fish migration up the Snake River. Today Hells Canyon Dam
is the first total barrier to fish migration on the Snake.
Surrounding the dam and its reservoir are a number of campgrounds, boat launches, docks, and hiking trails. It is a popular destination for fishermen. Trout, Small and Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Perch, Bluegill, Sturgeon and many other kinds of fish can be caught in the waters around the dam. Fishing tournaments are held there during the season.
As of 2008/2009 many of the campgrounds surrounding the dam have been improved, adding designated RV camp sites, docks, improving accessibility, parking, and the restrooms in the many campgrounds.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
on the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
, just below the Bruneau River
Bruneau River
The Bruneau River is a tributary of the Snake River, in the U.S. states of Idaho and Nevada. It runs through a narrow canyon cut into ancient lava flows in southwestern Idaho...
confluence, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Its location is near Grand View, Idaho
Grand View, Idaho
Grand View is a city in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. The population was 470 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Grand View is located at ....
. Its impoundment extends 36 miles (57.9 km) up the Snake River and 12 miles (19 km²) up the Bruneau River.
The dam's powerplant has a nameplate capacity of 82.8 MW.
The dam was named after Clifford J. Strike, the general manager of Idaho Power Company
Idaho Power Company
Idaho Power Company is a regulated electrical power utility. Its business involves the purchase, sale, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho. It is a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc...
from 1938 to 1948.
Due to the poor fish passage performance of Swan Falls Dam
Swan Falls Dam
Swan Falls Dam is a concrete gravity type hydroelectric dam on the Snake River, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It is located near Murphy, Idaho.The dam was built in 1901 to generate electricity. It is the oldest hydroelectric dam on the Snake River. In the 1990s the original power plant was replaced...
, the C.J. Strike Dam, upriver from Swan Falls, was built without fish passage facilities. Thus the two dams combined became the first artificial barrier to anadromous fish migration up the Snake River. Today Hells Canyon Dam
Hells Canyon Dam
Hells Canyon Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Snake River in Hells Canyon on the Idaho-Oregon border. The dam impounds the Snake River in Hells Canyon Reservoir; its spillway elevation is above sea level....
is the first total barrier to fish migration on the Snake.
Surrounding the dam and its reservoir are a number of campgrounds, boat launches, docks, and hiking trails. It is a popular destination for fishermen. Trout, Small and Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Perch, Bluegill, Sturgeon and many other kinds of fish can be caught in the waters around the dam. Fishing tournaments are held there during the season.
As of 2008/2009 many of the campgrounds surrounding the dam have been improved, adding designated RV camp sites, docks, improving accessibility, parking, and the restrooms in the many campgrounds.