Morgan Road Dam dam
Morgan Road Dam
Morgan Road Dam, located in Sherman, Nebraska, is a vital piece of infrastructure designed by TOM HAMER of USDA NRCS in 1981. This earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and other water management functions. With a storage capacity of 177 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of TR-DAVIS CREEK and protecting the surrounding area from potential flood events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NE DNR, Morgan Road Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. While it is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam has a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 23 feet, contributing to its effectiveness in managing water resources in the region. With a drainage area of 2.3 square miles and a maximum discharge of 277 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a significant role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Nebraska.
As a key component of water infrastructure in the area, Morgan Road Dam represents a vital resource for the community of ELBA and beyond. Its strategic location, design, and regulatory oversight by state agencies ensure that it continues to serve its purposes effectively, contributing to the overall water security and climate resilience of the region. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the careful design and management of this dam, which plays a critical role in mitigating flood risks and supporting sustainable water management practices in Sherman County, 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 Morgan Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 421 cfs | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 884 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 154 cfs | → |
| North Loup River At Taylor | 353 cfs | → |
| Warm Slough Nr Central City | · | → |
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgan Road Dam.
Track Morgan Road 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 Morgan Road Dam
Where does the data for Morgan Road 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 Hazard 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 Morgan Road Dam.