Blackwood Creek 61-A dam
Blackwood Creek 61-A
Blackwood Creek 61-A is a key flood risk reduction structure located in Hayes County, Nebraska. Built in 1983, this earth dam designed by USDA NRCS stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 425 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 449 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.7 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Blackwood Creek 61-A has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in May 2020. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, reflecting its importance in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential water-related disasters. With a history of regular inspections and state permitting, Blackwood Creek 61-A exemplifies the collaborative efforts between government agencies and local stakeholders in ensuring water resource sustainability and climate resilience.
Located in the Blackwood Creek watershed and under the jurisdiction of the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Blackwood Creek 61-A serves as a vital infrastructure for water management in the region. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam demonstrates a commitment to utilizing natural resources for effective flood control. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Blackwood Creek 61-A highlights the interconnectedness between water infrastructure, environmental protection, and community safety in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Blackwood Creek 61-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 13 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Stratton | 23 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 28 cfs | → |
| Red Willow Creek Near Red Willow | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackwood Creek 61-A.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Red Willow Reservoir State Rec Area
- Kiwanis Point Campground
- Buffalo Roam Campground
- Willow View Campground
- Swanson Reservoir State Rec Area
- Karrer Park
Track Blackwood Creek 61-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 Blackwood Creek 61-A
Where does the data for Blackwood Creek 61-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 Blackwood Creek 61-A.