Plum Creek 3-D is a local government-owned earth dam located in Pawnee, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS in 1971 for flood risk reduction purposes. This dam stands at a height of 32 feet with a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 33 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 442 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 1.3 square miles, the dam serves to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events, with a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in April 2017.

Situated on Plum Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with a normal storage capacity of 91 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1148 cubic feet per second. The dam covers a surface area of 17 acres and spans a length of 775 feet, utilizing stone core types and a soil foundation for its construction. Under the jurisdiction of the NE DNR, Plum Creek 3-D undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its operational readiness and compliance with regulatory standards.

As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the infrastructure and functionality of dams like Plum Creek 3-D is essential in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events and flooding. By recognizing the design, purpose, and condition of such structures, we can appreciate the critical role they play in enhancing water management and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.