Oak-Middle 79-A dam
Oak-Middle 79-A
Oak-Middle 79-A is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Seward, Nebraska, along the TR-MIDDLE OAK CREEK. Constructed in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans 836 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 632 acre-feet for floodwaters. The dam serves to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events, with a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2016.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oak-Middle 79-A is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspection and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction. With a drainage area of 1.8 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 2760 cubic feet per second, this structure plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. Despite its age, Oak-Middle 79-A continues to meet regulatory standards and remains a key asset in safeguarding the community from flood-related risks.
Located in the Kansas City District, Oak-Middle 79-A is part of the local government's efforts to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on water resources and climate. With its stone core and soil foundation, this dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable infrastructure in enhancing resilience to changing environmental conditions. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and supporting structures like Oak-Middle 79-A is crucial for promoting a more sustainable and secure future for communities in Nebraska and beyond.
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 Oak-Middle 79-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Creek At Air Park Rd At Lincoln | 23 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 5 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Lincoln | 99 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At 70th St. At Lincoln | 129 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oak-Middle 79-A.
Boat launches
Track Oak-Middle 79-A 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 Oak-Middle 79-A
Where does the data for Oak-Middle 79-A 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 Oak-Middle 79-A.