Pilster Dam dam
Pilster Dam
Located in Dawes County, Nebraska, the Pilster Dam stands as a testament to the intricate balance between human engineering and environmental preservation. Completed in 1937, this private dam primarily serves the purpose of irrigation, with a height of 22 feet and a length spanning 680 feet. With a storage capacity of 722.1 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 362.5 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the water resources in the region, covering a surface area of 58 acres and draining an area of 14.08 square miles.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Pilster Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition, the dam undergoes regular inspections every five years, with the last assessment conducted in August 2019. The dam's hydraulic modifications in 2001 further enhance its functionality, contributing to the efficient management of water flow and distribution for agricultural purposes in the area.
As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, Pilster Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining a sustainable water supply for irrigation purposes in Dawes County. Situated along Dry Creek, the dam's strategic location and design reflect a harmonious blend of engineering expertise and environmental stewardship. With its rich history and ongoing commitment to safety and efficiency, Pilster Dam continues to be a cornerstone of water resource management and climate resilience in the region, exemplifying the intricate interplay between human ingenuity and ecological sustainability.
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 Pilster Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line | 5 cfs | → |
| Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| White R Near Oglala Sd | 101 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pilster Dam.
Track Pilster 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 Pilster Dam
Where does the data for Pilster 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 Pilster Dam.