The State of Idaho has many hydroelectric plants and dams scattered on its many rivers located throughout the state. Along with Swan Falls Dam near Kuna, the other closest dam to Boise is the Lucky Peak Dam.

Lucky Peak Dam is located on the Boise River, 17 miles northeast of Boise off of Highway 21 on the way to Idaho City. Lucky Peak Dam's construction began in 1949 and was not completed until 1955. The Army Corps of Engineers built this dam along with the Anderson Ranch Dam, Arrowrock Dam, and Boise Diversion Dam, which is a few miles south of Lucky Peak. At first, the dam only had one outlet for hydropower, but as the population of the Treasure Valley grew and the need for more hydropower was needed, a second outlet was constructed and completed in August 1986, and the power house was built from 1984-1988.

Lucky Peak Dam is a very powerful dam that had six flip-discharge gates that deflected the water upwards in a huge plume. This method also reduces erosion along the river, and Idaho Power later put in power-generating turbines that eliminated the plume.

Lucky Peak Dam is 2,340 feet long, 340 feet high, and cost $19 million to build. The outlets are 23 feet in diameter and its storage capacity is 300,000 acres. Lucky Peak is a historic part of Idaho history that can be seen from Highway 21 every day.