Thompson Creek Dam dam
Thompson Creek Dam
Thompson Creek Dam, located in Sarpy, Nebraska, was completed in 1986 by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, serving as a vital flood risk reduction structure along Thompson Creek. The dam stands at a height of 27 feet, with a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 37 feet, providing a storage capacity of 122 acre-feet. With a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is state-regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, ensuring regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to maintain its high hazard potential.
Managed by a local government agency, Thompson Creek Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a focus on safeguarding the community and infrastructure against the impacts of extreme weather conditions. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been deemed structurally sound and meets regulatory guidelines, showcasing its importance in mitigating flood risks along Thompson Creek.
Thompson Creek Dam, designed as an earth dam with stone core and soil foundation, spans a length of 1025 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 4050 cubic feet per second. The dam's risk management measures, including regular inspections and a satisfactory condition assessment, ensure its continued reliability in protecting the region from flood-related hazards. As a significant structure in the Kansas City District, Thompson Creek Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Sarpy, Nebraska.
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 Thompson Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Omaha | 29,100 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 38 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Platte R Nr Ashland | 2,650 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Cr At Ashland | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Walnut Creek Recreation Area
- Prairie Queen
- Chalco Hills Recreation Area
- Main Boat Ramp
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
- Haworth River Park
Track Thompson Creek 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 Thompson Creek Dam
Where does the data for Thompson Creek 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 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 Thompson Creek Dam.