Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 dam
Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4
Located in Mills County, Iowa, the Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 is a vital earth dam built in 1998 by the USDA NRCS. This local government-owned structure serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, as well as flood risk reduction. With a dam height of 32 feet and a storage capacity of 625 acre-feet, this site plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, situated on the Waubonsie Creek, has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the structure has not undergone recent inspections or maintenance updates. The Iowa DNR oversees the state regulation and permitting for this site, ensuring its compliance with safety standards. This watershed site is an essential component of the local water management system, providing critical water storage and flood protection for the surrounding area.
The Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 is a key infrastructure project in the Omaha District, designed to mitigate flood risks and protect the environment. With its earth dam construction and soil foundation, this site has a significant impact on water resources and climate resilience in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role of structures like M-4 in managing water flow and safeguarding communities is crucial for sustainable development and preparedness in the face of changing weather patterns.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 707 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 17 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 33,200 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 29,000 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 595 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 1,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4.
Boat launches
- Us 34;Us 275 Mills County
- Mills County
- Plattsmouth Boat Ramp
- I 29;Us 275 Mills County
- Haworth River Park
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
Track Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4
Where does the data for Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site M-4.