Van Cleave Dam dam
Van Cleave Dam
Van Cleave Dam, located in Furnas County, Nebraska, was completed in 1946 by the USDA NRCS with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Beaver Creek. This private dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a structural height of 29 feet, with a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Van Cleave Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Managed by private owners, Van Cleave Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region while also providing a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet for water resource management. Its earth dam type with stone core and soil foundation contributes to its stability and hydraulic efficiency. Despite its age, the dam has been well-maintained, with the last inspection conducted in August 2018, and it meets state regulatory requirements for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Situated in Beaver City, Nebraska, Van Cleave Dam is a key infrastructure project designed to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2700 cubic feet per second, this dam not only safeguards the local community but also serves as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a vital component of the region's flood control system, Van Cleave Dam stands as a testament to the collaboration between private owners, government agencies, and engineering expertise in safeguarding communities and enhancing water security in Nebraska.
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 Van Cleave Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek Near Beaver City | 1 cfs | → |
| Sappa C Nr Lyle | 2 cfs | → |
| Sappa Creek Near Stamford | 3 cfs | → |
| Republican River Near Orleans | 41 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
| Prairie Dog C Nr Woodruff | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Van Cleave Dam.
Track Van Cleave 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 Van Cleave Dam
Where does the data for Van Cleave 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 Van Cleave Dam.