South Branch 36 dam
South Branch 36
South Branch 36 is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Otoe County, Nebraska. Constructed in 1987 by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans a length of 935 feet, providing a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, South Branch 36 plays a significant role in protecting the surrounding area from potential water-related disasters.
Managed and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, South Branch 36 is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. The dam has been assessed as having a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in September 2016. Its location on the TR-S FK Little Nemaha River contributes to its vital role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering details of South Branch 36, including its stone core and soil foundation construction. The dam's maximum discharge capacity of 325 cubic feet per second, along with its drainage area of 0.8 square miles, showcases its ability to effectively manage water flow during periods of high precipitation. As a key component of the local government's flood risk reduction strategy, South Branch 36 stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in safeguarding communities against the impacts of climate change.
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 South Branch 36 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Creek At Roca | 6 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Nr. Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Lincoln | 134 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 2 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At 70th St. At Lincoln | 267 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Branch 36.
Track South Branch 36 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 South Branch 36
Where does the data for South Branch 36 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 South Branch 36.