Harry Ritz Detention Dam dam
Harry Ritz Detention Dam
Harry Ritz Detention Dam, located in Valley, Nebraska, is a privately-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 1966, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 800 feet, with a storage capacity of 294 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential.
The dam is situated on Lee Creek and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, with a normal storage capacity of 35 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1590 cubic feet per second. Although it does not have a spillway or outlet gates, the structure plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With its stone core and soil foundation, Harry Ritz Detention Dam exemplifies the importance of proper infrastructure in safeguarding water resources and mitigating the impact of climate-related risks.
Managed by private owners and supported by federal agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam serves as a vital piece of water infrastructure in Nebraska. Its strategic location and design not only contribute to flood control efforts but also highlight the collaborative efforts needed to address water resource challenges in a changing climate. By maintaining and monitoring structures like Harry Ritz Detention Dam, water resource and climate enthusiasts can work towards a more resilient and sustainable future for communities relying on effective water management solutions.
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 Harry Ritz Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Loup River At Taylor | 325 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 165 cfs | → |
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 569 cfs | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 764 cfs | → |
| North Loup R At Brewster | 420 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harry Ritz Detention Dam.
Track Harry Ritz Detention 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 Harry Ritz Detention Dam
Where does the data for Harry Ritz Detention 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 Harry Ritz Detention Dam.