Clear Creek 7-A dam
Clear Creek 7-A
Clear Creek 7-A is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Saunders, Nebraska, along the Upper Clear Creek. Built in 1986 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at an impressive height of 35.9 feet, with a structural height of 40.1 feet and a length of 1780 feet. With a storage capacity of 3542.1 acre-feet and a drainage area of 9.4 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Clear Creek 7-A is inspected regularly to ensure its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a focus on protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation. The structure's proximity to Yutan and its close connection to the Kansas City District highlight its significance in safeguarding the community and the environment from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Clear Creek 7-A serves as a prime example of effective flood risk management and infrastructure design. With its strategic location, impressive dimensions, and commitment to regular inspections and maintenance, this dam showcases the importance of resilient water infrastructure in adapting to a changing climate. As climate-related challenges continue to intensify, structures like Clear Creek 7-A play a crucial role in building community resilience and protecting valuable resources for future generations.
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 Clear Creek 7-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 42 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Cr At Ashland | 81 cfs | → |
| Platte R Nr Ashland | 2,590 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 46 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clear Creek 7-A.
Track Clear Creek 7-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 Clear Creek 7-A
Where does the data for Clear Creek 7-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 Clear Creek 7-A.