Cottonwood Creek 21-A dam
Cottonwood Creek 21-A
Cottonwood Creek 21-A is a key flood risk reduction structure located in Saunders, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1983. This earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36 feet, with a structural height of 42 feet. It has a storage capacity of 1043 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the area. However, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a high hazard potential, highlighting the need for maintenance and upgrades to ensure its effectiveness in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Cottonwood Creek 21-A plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flood events. With a drainage area of 2.2 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 7976 cubic feet per second, this structure is vital for mitigating flood risks in the area. Despite its importance, the dam's poor condition and high hazard potential underscore the urgency of implementing risk management measures and conducting regular inspections to ensure its continued functionality in the face of changing climate patterns and water resource dynamics.
As climate change impacts become more pronounced, structures like Cottonwood Creek 21-A will be vital for managing water resources and reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas. With its location in the Kansas City District and oversight by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam serves as a critical asset for the local community. However, the dam's poor condition and high hazard potential emphasize the need for proactive maintenance and risk management strategies to ensure its long-term resilience and effectiveness in protecting against floods and safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Cottonwood Creek 21-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River At North Bend | 3,390 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 221 cfs | → |
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Ceresco | 90 cfs | → |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 143 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cottonwood Creek 21-A.
Track Cottonwood Creek 21-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 Cottonwood Creek 21-A
Where does the data for Cottonwood Creek 21-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 High 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 Cottonwood Creek 21-A.