Dawson County Road Dam 3 dam
Dawson County Road Dam 3
Dawson County Road Dam 3, located in Sumner, Nebraska, is a crucial water resource structure managed by the local government. Constructed in 1971, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans a length of 600 feet, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. With a storage capacity of 406.9 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.42 square miles, this dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Dawson County Road Dam 3 is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and not yet receiving a condition assessment rating, the dam serves as a key component in the water management infrastructure of Dawson County. With a normal storage capacity of 177.6 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 159 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a critical role in maintaining water levels and mitigating flood risks in the Wood River watershed.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dawson County Road Dam 3 represents a vital piece of infrastructure in the Kansas City District's water management system. With its strategic location in the Wood River basin and close proximity to Sumner, Nebraska, this dam serves as a crucial line of defense against potential flooding events. Managed by the local government and subject to state oversight, this Earth-type dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management and climate resilience in protecting communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events.
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 Dawson County Road Dam 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 25 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 8 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 214 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 7 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 234 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dawson County Road Dam 3.
Track Dawson County Road Dam 3 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 Dawson County Road Dam 3
Where does the data for Dawson County Road Dam 3 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 Dawson County Road Dam 3.