Otto Dam dam
Otto Dam
Otto Dam, located in Hamilton County, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of irrigation. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a hydraulic height of 15 feet, serving as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.8 square miles, Otto Dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and ensuring a stable water supply for agricultural needs.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Otto Dam has a low hazard potential and has been assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of June 2017. The dam, standing at a structural height of 17 feet and a length of 560 feet, is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 225 cubic feet per second, providing flood protection and water storage capabilities. With state regulation, inspection, and enforcement in place, Otto Dam is a well-maintained structure contributing to water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
In the event of an emergency, Otto Dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment measures are yet to be fully disclosed, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and preparedness. With its stone core foundation and soil base, Otto Dam is a significant asset for the community, supported by federal agency designers and state permitting processes. As a key irrigation infrastructure in Nebraska, Otto Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management, climate adaptation, and regulatory oversight in safeguarding critical water supplies for agricultural and ecological sustainability.
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 Otto Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 38 cfs | → |
| Warm Slough Nr Central City | · | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 884 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 154 cfs | → |
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 421 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Deweese | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otto Dam.
Track Otto 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 Otto Dam
Where does the data for Otto 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 Otto Dam.