Clausen Dam dam
Clausen Dam
Clausen Dam, located in Howard County, Nebraska, is a privately owned irrigation dam that was completed in 1993 with a primary purpose of irrigation. Designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. Despite its relatively small size, Clausen Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, with a drainage area of 0.3 square miles and a maximum discharge of 15 cubic feet per second.
The dam, constructed with a stone core and soil foundation, has a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a structural height of 19 feet. Although it has a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2018 was rated as poor, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades. The dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With its location on TR-DRY CREEK and contribution to local irrigation needs, Clausen Dam remains a vital piece of infrastructure in the region.
In 1997, Clausen Dam underwent hydraulic modifications to improve its efficiency and functionality. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, providing essential irrigation water to the surrounding agricultural lands. With a surface area of 8 acres and a normal storage capacity of 44 acre-feet, Clausen Dam is a key component of the water management system in Nebraska. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Clausen Dam will be crucial in ensuring a reliable water supply for agriculture and other industries in the region.
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 Clausen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 154 cfs | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 884 cfs | → |
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 421 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 38 cfs | → |
| Warm Slough Nr Central City | · | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clausen Dam.
Track Clausen 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 Clausen Dam
Where does the data for Clausen 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 Clausen Dam.