USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

13238500 PAYETTE LAKE AT MCCALL, ID

LOCATION - Lat 44°54'44", long 116°07'09" referenced to North American Datum of 1983, in NW 1/4 sec.08, T.18 N., R.3 E., Valley County, ID, Hydrologic Unit 17050123, McCall quad., at outlet of lake, on North Fork Payette River at McCall, and at mile 75.4.

DRAINAGE AREA - 144 mi².

REVISIONS HISTORY - WSP 753: 1931. WSP 1013: Drainage area.

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - August 1921 to current year (fragmentary prior to Nov. 23, 1943). Prior to October 1942, published as "at Lardo".

GAGE - Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,981.73 ft above NGVD of 1929. Prior to Aug. 26, 1931, nonrecording gage at site 25 ft downstream at datum 3.0 ft higher. Aug. 26, 1931 to Nov. 22, 1943, nonrecording gage at site 75 ft downstream at datum 1.0 ft higher. November 23, 1943 to September 30, 1984, at present site at datum 1.0 ft higher.

REMARKS - Stage of Payette Lake is regulated within natural range. Outflow from lake regulated by Tainter gates and pneumatically operated overtopping lift gates since October 2011. Outflow regulated by Tainter gates and removable stop-logs of a buttress and slab-type dam from November 1943 to October 2011. During period 1923-43 lake was regulated by structure consisting of a series of concrete-filled cribs supporting removable flashboards. Some regulation is reported to have been affected by timber flashboards for several years prior to 1923. Lake area is approximately 5,000 acres. No capacity table has been developed. Water is used for irrigation in vicinity of Emmett. No diversion above station.

EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum gage height observed, 8.75 ft, July 13, 1935; minimum, 0.84 ft, Nov. 30, 1987.