Blue Bluffs Dam dam
Blue Bluffs Dam
Blue Bluffs Dam, located in Seward, Nebraska, along the Big Blue River, stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering prowess. Built in 1911, this buttress dam with a structural height of 27 feet and a length of 410 feet serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a normal storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1,300 acres, the dam offers a serene 2-acre surface area for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Maintained and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Blue Bluffs Dam boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. The dam undergoes inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and adherence to safety guidelines. With a maximum storage capacity of 209 acre-feet and a hydraulic height of 24 feet, the dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors seeking relaxation and recreation along the scenic Big Blue River.
As part of the Omaha District, Blue Bluffs Dam remains a vital component of the local landscape, offering a picturesque retreat for visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of Nebraska's water resources. With its historical significance, recreational opportunities, and commitment to safety and maintenance, the dam stands as a beacon for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to connect with nature and experience the wonders of sustainable infrastructure in action.
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 Blue Bluffs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 71 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 162 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Oak Creek At Air Park Rd At Lincoln | 23 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Bluffs Dam.
Track Blue Bluffs 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 Blue Bluffs Dam
Where does the data for Blue Bluffs 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 Blue Bluffs Dam.