Cottonwood Creek 32-A dam
Cottonwood Creek 32-A
Cottonwood Creek 32-A is a crucial infrastructure project located in Saunders, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the TR-Cottonwood Creek. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at 30 feet tall and spans 936 feet, providing flood risk reduction for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 306 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, this dam plays a key role in protecting the local community from potential inundation events.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Cottonwood Creek 32-A has been deemed to have low hazard potential with a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2016. The dam is inspected every five years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality, highlighting the commitment to maintaining the safety and effectiveness of this vital water resource infrastructure. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this project serves as a critical component in the overall water resource management strategy for the region.
As part of the broader network of flood control measures in Nebraska, Cottonwood Creek 32-A stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS to safeguard communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. With its strategic location and design, this earth dam not only protects against potential floodwaters but also contributes to the overall resilience of the area's water resource infrastructure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and appreciating the significance of projects like Cottonwood Creek 32-A is essential in advocating for sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Cottonwood Creek 32-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At North Bend | 3,390 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 221 cfs | → |
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Ceresco | 90 cfs | → |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 143 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cottonwood Creek 32-A.
Track Cottonwood Creek 32-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 Cottonwood Creek 32-A
Where does the data for Cottonwood Creek 32-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 Cottonwood Creek 32-A.