Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam dam
Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam
Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam, located in Orleans, Nebraska, is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS to address flood risk reduction and other water resource management purposes. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 435 feet, with a storage capacity of 112 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 12.7 feet. Situated on TR-School Creek in Harlan County, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam has a low hazard potential but is currently assessed as being in poor condition as of the last inspection in July 2019. Despite its condition, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively and plays a key role in water resource management in the region. With a drainage area of 1.3 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 158 cubic feet per second, the dam remains a critical infrastructure for maintaining water quality and reducing flood risks in the area.
As a key component of the water resource infrastructure in Harlan County, Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage and protect water resources in the region. With its historical significance and continued operational importance, the dam stands as a reminder of the crucial role that such structures play in safeguarding communities and the environment from the impacts of extreme weather events and ensuring sustainable water management practices 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 Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Republican River Near Orleans | 39 cfs | → |
| Sappa Creek Near Stamford | 3 cfs | → |
| Prairie Dog C Nr Woodruff | · | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 76 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 82 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Beaver City | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam.
Boat launches
- Oxford City Lake
- Holdrege City Lake
- Harlan - Alma Boat Ramp
- Methodist Cove
- Harlan - Gremlin Cove
- Hunter Cove - Low Water Ramp
Track Peterson Grade Stabilization 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 Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam
Where does the data for Peterson Grade Stabilization 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 Peterson Grade Stabilization Dam.