Upper Big Nemaha J-37 dam
Upper Big Nemaha J-37
Upper Big Nemaha J-37 is a key water resource structure located in Johnson County, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and serves purposes of flood risk reduction and other water management functions. With a normal storage capacity of 32 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the TR-Hooker Creek.
Managed by the local government, Upper Big Nemaha J-37 has a significant hazard potential and is classified as being in fair condition as per the last inspection in April 2019. With a structural height of 27 feet and a length of 725 feet, this dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 430 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, this dam continues to provide vital water management services in the region, reflecting the importance of effective infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.
As a part of the broader water infrastructure network in Nebraska, Upper Big Nemaha J-37 highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure the resilience of water resources in the face of changing climatic conditions. With a focus on flood risk reduction and water management, this dam represents a key component in the state's strategy for sustainable water resource management. By staying regulated, inspected, and maintained, structures like Upper Big Nemaha J-37 play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events and ensuring the long-term availability of water resources for future generations.
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 Big Nemaha J-37 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Roca | 52 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 2,300 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 490 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 57 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 1,470 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Big Nemaha J-37.
Track Upper Big Nemaha J-37 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 Big Nemaha J-37
Where does the data for Upper Big Nemaha J-37 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 Big Nemaha J-37.