Spring Creek 18-A dam
Spring Creek 18-A
Spring Creek 18-A is a crucial water resource structure located in Dawson, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 1976, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 740 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 492 acre-feet to manage water levels in the TR-STUMP DITCH. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its functionality and safety.
Owned by the local government, Spring Creek 18-A serves as a vital flood risk reduction tool in the region, with a normal storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.9 square miles. The dam plays a crucial role in mitigating potential water-related disasters and protecting the surrounding community from flooding events. Its strategic location and effective design make it a key asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices in Nebraska.
With its stone core and soil foundation, Spring Creek 18-A is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and local authorities in safeguarding water resources. Regularly inspected and maintained, this structure serves as a model for effective dam management and underscores the importance of proactive measures in addressing climate-related challenges. As a focal point for flood risk reduction in the region, Spring Creek 18-A exemplifies the intersection of environmental stewardship and community resilience in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 18-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 7 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 27 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 90 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 10 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 79 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At North Platte | 1,290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Creek 18-A.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lafayette Park
- Muny Park
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Pressey State Wildlife Area
- Morgan Municipal Park
- Lexington City Park
Track Spring Creek 18-A 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 18-A
Where does the data for Spring Creek 18-A 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 18-A.