Hirsch Dam dam
Hirsch Dam
Hirsch Dam, located in Dakota County, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1966, this earth dam stands at a height of 30.1 feet and has a length of 533 feet, with a storage capacity of 49.2 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2019 rated it as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential repairs to ensure its continued effectiveness in managing water resources along the TR-PIGEON CREEK DITCH.
Managed by the NE DNR, Hirsch Dam is regulated by the state of Nebraska and undergoes regular inspections to assess its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Its location within a drainage area of 0.75 square miles and its ability to discharge up to 591 cubic feet per second make it a critical component in mitigating flood risks in the region. Despite its current condition, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting surrounding communities and infrastructure from potential water-related disasters, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts to safeguard water resources and climate resilience in the area.
As a key feature in the flood risk reduction infrastructure, Hirsch Dam's significance lies in its contribution to water management and protection of downstream areas from potential inundation. With its historical construction and ongoing state regulation, the dam serves as a vital asset in the overall water resource management strategy in Nebraska. Its condition assessment provides valuable insights for stakeholders and decision-makers, highlighting the need for continued investment in maintenance and improvements to ensure the dam's long-term effectiveness in addressing water-related challenges in the region.
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 Hirsch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Cr At Homer | 30 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Sioux City | 26,100 cfs | → |
| South Omaha Creek At Walthill | 12 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 314 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek At Wakefield | 111 cfs | → |
| Perry Creek Near Milnerville | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hirsch Dam.
Track Hirsch 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 Hirsch Dam
Where does the data for Hirsch 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 Hirsch Dam.