Mathiesen Dam 159 dam
Mathiesen Dam 159
Mathiesen Dam 159, located in Washington, Nebraska, is a local government-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS to regulate the flow of New York Creek. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 30.6 feet and has a storage capacity of 125.2 acre-feet, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential refurbishment to ensure its long-term functionality.
The dam's inspection frequency is set at every 5 years, with the last assessment conducted in June 2020. The state-regulated structure falls under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and is subject to permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the state regulatory agency. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 6.3 square miles, Mathiesen Dam 159 plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, although its current condition warrants attention to address any potential safety concerns and ensure its continued effectiveness in flood control.
Located in Herman, Nebraska, Mathiesen Dam 159 presents a captivating opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. As a key component in the local flood risk reduction strategy, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical water structures to protect both people and the environment. With its unique design elements and historical significance, Mathiesen Dam 159 invites further investigation and discussion on how sustainable water management practices can mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard our natural resources for future generations.
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 Mathiesen Dam 159 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Creek Near Uehling | 211 cfs | → |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 45 cfs | → |
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 123 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mathiesen Dam 159.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Mathiesen Dam 159 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 Mathiesen Dam 159
Where does the data for Mathiesen Dam 159 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 Mathiesen Dam 159.