Spring Creek 4-1 dam
Spring Creek 4-1
Spring Creek 4-1 is a vital structure located in Talmage, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the NE DNR. This earth dam, completed in 1968, serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and other water resource management functions. With a height of 27.5 feet and a length of 695 feet, it provides storage for 41.8 acre-feet of water and covers a surface area of 2.1 acres. Despite its poor condition assessment in 2017, its hazard potential is rated as low, making it a crucial piece of infrastructure for the local community.
Situated in Johnson County, Nebraska, Spring Creek 4-1 plays a significant role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the area. The dam has a drainage area of 0.19 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 312 cubic feet per second. Its location in the path of TR-Spring Creek underscores its importance in protecting the surrounding environment and communities from potential water-related disasters. With state permitting, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms in place, Spring Creek 4-1 is well-maintained and monitored to ensure its continued functionality and safety.
As part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service's portfolio, Spring Creek 4-1 is a testament to the collaborative efforts between local governments and federal agencies to safeguard water resources and mitigate climate-related challenges. The dam's historical significance, combined with its modern regulatory oversight and management practices, underscores its importance in maintaining the resilience of the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable water resource management practices. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spring Creek 4-1 serves as a compelling example of how infrastructure can play a crucial role in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate on water resources.
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 Spring Creek 4-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 743 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 37,500 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 64 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 850 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 2,230 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Roca | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Creek 4-1.
Track Spring Creek 4-1 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 Spring Creek 4-1
Where does the data for Spring Creek 4-1 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 Spring Creek 4-1.