Ptacek Dam dam
Ptacek Dam
Located in Butler, Nebraska, Ptacek Dam is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 20.5 feet and spans 500 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 60.3 acre-feet and a normal storage of 22.3 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential.
Serving as a vital resource for the local community, Ptacek Dam plays a crucial role in providing water for fire protection and supporting livestock and small fish populations. Situated on Skull Creek, this dam contributes to the conservation of water resources in the area and helps mitigate potential drought-related challenges. With its strategic location and infrastructure, Ptacek Dam underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices and the integration of climate resilience measures in dam operations.
As a part of the broader water resource network in Nebraska, Ptacek Dam exemplifies the collaboration between private ownership and state regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and functionality of essential water infrastructure. With its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential, Ptacek Dam stands as a testament to effective dam design and maintenance practices. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ptacek Dam serves as a fascinating case study in sustainable water management and the intersection of environmental conservation and community needs.
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 Ptacek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At North Bend | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 44 cfs | → |
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 18 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Columbus | 16 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Ceresco | 17 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ptacek Dam.
Boat launches
Track Ptacek 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 Ptacek Dam
Where does the data for Ptacek 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 Ptacek Dam.