Buck Creek Dam dam
Buck Creek Dam
Buck Creek Dam in Nebraska, designed by USDA NRCS, stands as a crucial flood risk reduction infrastructure along Buck Creek in Nemaha County. Completed in 2012, the earth dam reaches a height of 53 feet, with a hydraulic height of 52.93 feet and a structural height of 63 feet, providing vital protection for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 2521.6 acre-feet and a drainage area of 7.2 square miles, the dam plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the community from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by NE DNR, Buck Creek Dam has been deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as per the last assessment in September 2019. The dam's primary purpose remains flood risk reduction, with a normal storage capacity of 306.6 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 5400 cubic feet per second. Positioned within the Omaha District of the USACE, the dam's operations and inspections are diligently carried out to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting the area.
Located at coordinates 40.486116 latitude and -95.754218 longitude, Buck Creek Dam serves as a vital structure in the region's water resource management efforts. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam spans a length of 1029 feet, covering a surface area of 44.62 acres. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Buck Creek Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and proactive flood management in the face of changing climate patterns and potential natural disasters.
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 Buck Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 98 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 1,520 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 32,800 cfs | → |
| Tarkio River At Fairfax Mo | 153 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 16 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buck Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Peru Boat Ramp
- Brownville Riverside City Park
- 165 Street Atchison County
- Riverview Boat Ramp
- Prairie Owl
- Indian Cave
Track Buck Creek Dam 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 Buck Creek Dam
Where does the data for Buck Creek Dam 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 Buck Creek Dam.