Long Dam dam
Long Dam
Long Dam, located in Kimball, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed for flood risk reduction along the TR-Lodgepole Creek. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and spans 300 feet in length, providing storage capacity of 181 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 11.4 square miles. With a low hazard potential and no specific condition rating, Long Dam is regulated and inspected by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its structural integrity and functionality.
The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a normal storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1403 cubic feet per second. While Long Dam does not have a designated spillway type or outlet gates, it is equipped to handle potential emergencies with a 5-year inspection frequency. The surrounding area covers 16 acres and is under the jurisdiction of the state, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place to maintain its operational safety and efficiency. Congressman Adrian Smith represents this district where the dam is situated.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Long Dam can appreciate its role in mitigating flood risks and managing water flow along the TR-Lodgepole Creek. This structure, despite its low hazard potential, plays a crucial part in the local ecosystem by providing storage capacity and drainage capabilities for the surrounding area. As a state-regulated and inspected dam, Long Dam demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of water infrastructures in Nebraska, contributing to overall water resource management efforts 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 Long Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lodgepole Creek At Bushnell | 1 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Crook | 15 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Cooper Bridge | 114 cfs | → |
| South Platte River Near Weldona | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Long Dam.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Oliver Reservoir
- North Sterling Reservoir
- Overland Trail Park Pond
- Prewitt Reservoir
- Tamarack Ranch Pond
- Jumbo Annex (Red Lion Swa)
More reservoirs
Track Long 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 Long Dam
Where does the data for Long 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 Long Dam.