Upper Big Nemaha 14-B dam
Upper Big Nemaha 14-B
Upper Big Nemaha 14-B is a local government-owned dam located in Lancaster, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the NE DNR. Completed in 1983, this earth dam stands at 20 feet high and spans 643 feet in length, with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-MID BR Big Nemaha River. The dam has a storage capacity of 248 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 41 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2016, Upper Big Nemaha 14-B is a key structure in the flood risk management infrastructure of the area. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 656 cubic feet per second and is inspected every five years to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Despite its solid performance, there are no associated spillways or outlet gates with the dam, highlighting the reliance on its design and construction to manage potential flood events effectively.
Overall, Upper Big Nemaha 14-B serves as a vital component in the flood risk reduction strategy for the region, providing both storage capacity and structural integrity to help mitigate potential flood events along the Big Nemaha River. As a locally owned and regulated structure, it represents a collaborative effort between government agencies and the community to safeguard against the impacts of extreme weather events and protect the surrounding area from flooding. With its strategic location and design features, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Nebraska.
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 Upper Big Nemaha 14-B -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Roca | 5 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 162 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 9 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Big Nemaha 14-B.
Track Upper Big Nemaha 14-B 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 Upper Big Nemaha 14-B
Where does the data for Upper Big Nemaha 14-B 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 Upper Big Nemaha 14-B.