Nelson Dam 605 dam
Nelson Dam 605
Nelson Dam 605, located in Cheyenne, Nebraska, is a privately owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS to serve as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along TR-Lodgepole Creek. Completed in 1967, this dam stands at a height of 34 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 593 acre-feet and a drainage area of 6.4 square miles. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2018.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Nelson Dam 605 undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a structural height of 39 feet and a hydraulic height of 33 feet, the dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The dam's location in Sidney, Nebraska, highlights its importance in safeguarding the community and its residents from the impacts of extreme weather events.
As part of its risk management measures, Nelson Dam 605 does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers but relies on state regulatory agencies for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to mitigating flood risks and ensuring the safety of downstream areas. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Nelson Dam 605 serves as a testament to proactive flood risk reduction efforts in Nebraska, safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events.
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 Dam 605 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River Near Crook | 15 cfs | → |
| Lodgepole Creek At Bushnell | 1 cfs | → |
| S. Platte R. At Julesburg | -999 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nelson Dam 605.
Track Nelson Dam 605 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 Dam 605
Where does the data for Nelson Dam 605 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 Dam 605.