Nelson Detention Dam dam
Nelson Detention Dam
Nelson Detention Dam, located in Washington County, Nebraska, is a vital infrastructure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along Turkey Creek. Completed in 1957, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and stretches 282 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 111 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2020 revealed poor structural integrity, highlighting the need for timely maintenance and risk management measures.
Owned privately, Nelson Detention Dam falls under the regulatory oversight of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, with state-mandated inspections and enforcement mechanisms in place. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving the local community by protecting against potential inundation events. However, its outdated design and poor condition underscore the importance of regular monitoring and investment in infrastructure resilience to safeguard water resources in the region.
As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and intensify extreme weather events, infrastructure like Nelson Detention Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts. With a drainage area of 0.8 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 645 cubic feet per second, this dam serves as a critical line of defense against flooding in the area. Moving forward, proactive maintenance, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness will be essential to ensure the long-term effectiveness and safety of Nelson Detention Dam in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Nelson Detention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Papillion Cr | 76 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 34,600 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Boyer River At Logan | 661 cfs | → |
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 209 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nelson Detention Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Boat Ramp
- Dodge Park Road , 68112:68152 Omaha
- Desoto Bend Nwr
- Blair City Boat Ramp
- Main Boat Ramp
- Prairie View Recreation Area
Track Nelson 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 Nelson Detention Dam
Where does the data for Nelson 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 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 Nelson Detention Dam.