Upper Salt Creek 35-1 dam
Upper Salt Creek 35-1
Upper Salt Creek 35-1 is a local government-owned Earth-type dam located in Lancaster, Nebraska, along the TR-E BR Salt Creek. Built in 1956 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 25 feet, with a structural height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 23 feet. It serves a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 102 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. The dam has a normal storage level of 24 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 427 cubic feet per second, making it a vital asset for water resource management in the area.
With a length of 650 feet and a surface area of 6 acres, Upper Salt Creek 35-1 plays a significant role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding communities. The dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and overall condition. The most recent inspection in April 2019 deemed the dam to be in satisfactory condition, with a hazard potential classified as significant. In case of emergencies, the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, highlighting the need for further preparedness measures to safeguard against potential risks.
Overall, Upper Salt Creek 35-1 is a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, with a long history of service since its completion in 1956. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam has been modified in 1985 for hydraulic purposes and continues to be an essential component of the water management system in Lancaster, Nebraska. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of dams like Upper Salt Creek 35-1 in protecting communities from flooding and ensuring water security is key to sustainable development and resilience in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Upper Salt Creek 35-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Roca | 8 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 297 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 63 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 2 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Lincoln | 863 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Nr. Lincoln | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Salt Creek 35-1.
Track Upper Salt Creek 35-1 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 Upper Salt Creek 35-1
Where does the data for Upper Salt Creek 35-1 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 Upper Salt Creek 35-1.