Goetsch Dam dam
Goetsch Dam
Goetsch Dam, located in Pilger, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS to serve multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction. Completed in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 22.6 feet and has a storage capacity of 169.2 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 5 acre-feet. Situated on the Elkhorn River, the dam covers a surface area of 2.1 acres and has a drainage area of 1.51 square miles.
With its low hazard potential and not yet rated condition assessment, Goetsch Dam has been regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections every five years. While the dam does not have a spillway or outlet gates, it plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing flood risks in the surrounding area. The dam also holds historical significance as one of the key structures in the region's water resource management system.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and environmental conservation will find Goetsch Dam to be a fascinating case study. As a private dam operated for public benefit, its design, construction, and ongoing maintenance provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate. The dam's location on the Elkhorn River, its impact on flood risk reduction, and its regulatory oversight by the Nebraska DNR make it a compelling subject for further study and appreciation by those passionate about sustainable water management practices.
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 Goetsch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhorn River At Pilger | 461 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn R At Norfolk Ne | 279 cfs | → |
| North Fork Elkhorn River Near Pierce | 59 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At West Point | 626 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek At Wakefield | 109 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Columbus | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Goetsch Dam.
Track Goetsch 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 Goetsch Dam
Where does the data for Goetsch 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 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 Goetsch Dam.