Oak-Middle 72-A dam
Oak-Middle 72-A
Oak-Middle 72-A, located in Seward, Nebraska, is a vital earth dam designed by USDA NRCS in 1970 to primarily reduce flood risks in the area. This structure stands at 42 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 41 feet and a structural height of 44 feet. With a length of 1022 feet, it serves to protect the surrounding area by providing a maximum storage capacity of 1103 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 178 acre-feet.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Oak-Middle 72-A has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of its last assessment in May 2016. Despite its age, this dam continues to play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks along TR-Middle Oak Creek, covering a drainage area of 4.1 square miles. Its strategic location and operational efficiency make it a key component in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
With a history of successful inspections and a demonstrated commitment to enforcing safety measures, Oak-Middle 72-A stands as a testament to effective collaboration between local and federal agencies in safeguarding communities against potential water-related hazards. As a cornerstone of flood risk reduction efforts in the area, this earth dam exemplifies the importance of proactive infrastructure planning and maintenance in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources and climate resilience in Nebraska.
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 72-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 | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 5 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 72-A.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Oak-Middle 72-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 72-A
Where does the data for Oak-Middle 72-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 72-A.