Big Indian Creek 11-A dam
Big Indian Creek 11-A
Located in Gage, Nebraska, Big Indian Creek 11-A is a flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet, with a hydraulic height of 42 feet and a structural height of 52 feet. It has a storage capacity of 2366 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the surrounding area.
With a drainage area of 5.3 square miles, Big Indian Creek 11-A plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating potential flood hazards in the region. The dam has a low hazard potential and has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of the last inspection in October 2020. Its location along Squaw Creek and proximity to Wymore underscores its importance in protecting the local community from the impacts of extreme weather events.
Managed by local government authorities and with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, Big Indian Creek 11-A stands as a testament to effective water resource management in Nebraska. Its stone core and soil foundation contribute to its stability, ensuring its continued reliability in safeguarding the area from flood risks. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this structure serves as a prime example of how effective infrastructure can help communities adapt to and mitigate the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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 Big Indian Creek 11-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 862 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 933 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 231 cfs | → |
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 389 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 87 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Washington | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Indian Creek 11-A.
Boat launches
- Big Indian Recreation Area
- Diamond Lake Wma
- Arrowhead Wma
- Wolf - Wildcat
- Rockford Lake Sra
- Bear Pierce Lake 2a
Track Big Indian Creek 11-A 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 Big Indian Creek 11-A
Where does the data for Big Indian Creek 11-A 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 Big Indian Creek 11-A.