Blackwood Creek P-3 dam
Blackwood Creek P-3
Blackwood Creek P-3, located in Red Willow, Nebraska, is a crucial water resource infrastructure designed by USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the TR-Republican River. Completed in 1984, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 178 acre-feet, serving its primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Managed by the local government and regulated by the NE DNR, this dam has a low hazard potential and has been assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in April 2020.
With a drainage area of 1 square mile, Blackwood Creek P-3 plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The dam's structural height of 35 feet and hydraulic height of 29 feet ensure efficient water management, with a maximum discharge capacity of 430 cubic feet per second. Despite being a low hazard structure, it is subject to regular inspections every 5 years to maintain its operational integrity and ensure public safety. The dam's satisfactory condition and adherence to regulatory guidelines highlight its importance in safeguarding the community against water-related risks.
Overall, Blackwood Creek P-3 stands as a testament to effective water resource management in Nebraska, providing flood protection and peace of mind to residents in the region. Supported by federal agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam continues to serve its purpose decades after its construction, showcasing the commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and climate resilience. As climate change impacts water resources, structures like Blackwood Creek P-3 play a crucial role in adapting to changing conditions and mitigating the risks associated with extreme weather events, demonstrating the importance of proactive water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 P-3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 28 cfs | → |
| Red Willow Creek Near Red Willow | 3 cfs | → |
| Beaver C At Cedar Bluffs | · | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackwood Creek P-3.
Track Blackwood Creek P-3 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 P-3
Where does the data for Blackwood Creek P-3 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 P-3.