Hiles Canyon dam
Hiles Canyon
Hiles Canyon, located in Dawson County, Nebraska, is a significant hydroelectric structure with a primary purpose of generating electricity and irrigating surrounding areas. Built in 1941, this earth dam stands at 25 feet in height and stretches 502 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The dam is owned and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is subject to state oversight by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
The dam's low hazard potential is attributed to its sturdy stone core and soil foundation, providing stability for the structure. With a maximum discharge capacity of 2370 cubic feet per second, Hiles Canyon plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region. Despite its age, the dam has not been modified in recent years and its condition assessment is currently not available.
Public utility Hiles Canyon serves as a vital infrastructure for the community of Cozad, Nebraska, supporting both hydroelectric power generation and irrigation activities. As a state-regulated and federally-owned facility, the dam undergoes regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its safe and efficient operation. With its strategic location on the Supply Canal and its important role in water storage and control, Hiles Canyon remains a key asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
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 Hiles Canyon -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 18 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 239 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 29 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At North Platte | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 208 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hiles Canyon .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lafayette Park
- Muny Park
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Potter's Pasture New Campground
- Potter's Pasture Old Campground
- Lexington City Park
Fishing spots
- Maxwell Rest Stop Dor
- Fort Mcpherson Dor
- Fremont Slough
- North Platte I-80 City Lake
- Birdwood Lake
- Camp Hayes Lake
More reservoirs
Track Hiles Canyon 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 Hiles Canyon
Where does the data for Hiles Canyon 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 Hiles Canyon .