West Phillips dam
West Phillips
West Phillips, also known as Ed 67.1, is a hydroelectric dam located in Lexington, Nebraska, within Gosper County. Constructed in 1941, this public utility structure serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. With a dam height of 43 feet and a length of 354 feet, West Phillips boasts a storage capacity of 450 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 337 acre-feet and a surface area of 32 acres.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, West Phillips has a low hazard potential and a high risk assessment rating of 2. While the dam has not undergone recent condition assessments, it is subject to regular inspections every three years. With its strategic location on the Supply Platte River and commitment to sustainable water resource management, West Phillips plays a crucial role in supporting local communities and enhancing the region's resilience to climate variability.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in Nebraska, West Phillips represents a harmonious blend of engineering innovation and environmental stewardship. With its earth dam type, stone core, and soil foundation, the dam exemplifies a balance between functionality and natural resource conservation. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate West Phillips as a vital contributor to the state's energy production and agricultural irrigation needs, highlighting the intersection of human ingenuity and ecological sustainability in water management practices.
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 West Phillips -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 17 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 171 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 31 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 139 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 9 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Phillips .
Boat launches
- Phillips Canyon Wma
- Bullhead Expressway Gosper County
- Elwood Wma
- Johnson Lake Sra Inlet
- Plum Creek Canyon Reservoir Wma
- Darr
Campgrounds
- Lexington City Park
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Bob And Nancies
- Muny Park
- Sandy Channel State Rec Area
- Holdrege City Park
More reservoirs
Track West Phillips 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 West Phillips
Where does the data for West Phillips 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 West Phillips .