Don Alt Dam dam
Don Alt Dam
Located in Polk, Nebraska, the Don Alt Dam was completed in 1969 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the TR-Big Blue River. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 610 feet, this earth dam has a storage capacity of 110.9 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5.2 acres. Despite its poor condition assessment, the dam's hazard potential is deemed low, making it a relatively safe structure in the event of emergencies.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NE DNR, the Don Alt Dam undergoes inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The primary purpose of the dam is flood risk reduction, aligning with its design and core function. Despite lacking detailed spillway information and outlet gates, the dam continues to play a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events, showcasing its importance in water resource management in Nebraska.
With its location in the Omaha District and under the jurisdiction of the state, the Don Alt Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between federal and local agencies in safeguarding communities from natural disasters. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance and functionality of structures like the Don Alt Dam highlights the ongoing need for effective dam management and maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in flood-prone regions.
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 Don Alt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 43 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 250 cfs | → |
| Silver Cr | 11 cfs | → |
| Prairie Creek Nr Silver Creek Nebr | 22 cfs | → |
| Loup River Near Genoa | 520 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Don Alt Dam.
Track Don Alt 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 Don Alt Dam
Where does the data for Don Alt 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 Don Alt Dam.