Spring Creek 11-A 303 dam
Spring Creek 11-A 303
Spring Creek 11-A 303 is a vital structure in Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the NE DNR. This earth-type dam stands at 41 feet high and spans 1520 feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction since its completion in 1972. With a storage capacity of 6207 acre-feet and a drainage area of 21.4 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the local community from potential flooding events.
Located in Dawson County, Nebraska, the dam on Spring Creek (Strever) Creek is under the jurisdiction of the Kansas City District and falls within the purview of local government ownership. With a significant hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Spring Creek 11-A 303 has undergone regular inspections, with the most recent conducted in March 2020. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet regulatory standards and plays a key role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential water-related risks.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spring Creek 11-A 303 offers a fascinating case study in effective flood risk reduction infrastructure. With a comprehensive design by the USDA NRCS, state regulation by the NE DNR, and a strategic location in LEXINGTON, Nebraska, this dam exemplifies the importance of proactive water management in mitigating natural disaster risks. As climate change continues to impact water patterns and intensify extreme weather events, structures like Spring Creek 11-A 303 play a crucial role in enhancing resilience and protecting communities from the adverse effects of flooding.
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 Spring Creek 11-A 303 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 14 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 27 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 670 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 8 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 234 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At North Platte | 1,290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Creek 11-A 303.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Muny Park
- Lafayette Park
- Pressey State Wildlife Area
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Lexington City Park
- Morgan Municipal Park
Track Spring Creek 11-A 303 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 Spring Creek 11-A 303
Where does the data for Spring Creek 11-A 303 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 Significant 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 Spring Creek 11-A 303.