Power County

Power County was established on January 30, 1913, with its county seat at American Falls. It was the 31st country in the state of Idaho. It was named for the American Falls Power Plant. American Falls was the first settlement in the county and was a frequent camping place on the Oregon Trail. It became a railroad station when the Oregon Short Line was built across southern Idaho.

Return to County Profiles Main Page, or page to next county, Shoshone.

County Statistics:

County seat: American Falls
Population: 7,734 (2009 estimate)
Power County website

Borders: Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Cassia and Oneida counties

Interesting Facts:

There have been two American Falls Dams.  The original, built between 1925 and 1927, deteriorated by 1975.  A replacement dam was constructed immediately downstream form the original.  But before the new dam was in place, the old dam faced a tremendous challenge in 1976 from the downstream flow released by the collapse of the Teton Dam.  In order to protect the new dam and others downstream, the reservoir was emptied.  Two days later, the floodwaters reached the American Falls Dam and were contained, preventing further flooding downstream.  The new dam was not completed for another two years.

What To See And Do:

Massacre Rocks State Park:  Located just west of I-86, this park provides camping, river access, hiking and fishing.  It's also a good place for birdwatchers.

The Power County Courthouse was built between 1925 -1949, and is one of the many courthouses built by Sundberg and Sundberg of Idaho Falls. With a prairie school, classical revival architectural style, it resembles many of the local government buildings in Idaho.