Boren Dam dam
Boren Dam
Boren Dam, located in Odessa, Nebraska, is a local government-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 2002, this Earth-type dam stands at 35 feet high and spans 845 feet in length along the TR-Plum Creek. The dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition according to the most recent assessment in April 2019.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Boren Dam has a state-regulated status with permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures in place. The dam's construction was funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and it has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. Situated in a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding community.
With its strategic location and effective design, Boren Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for flood control along the TR-Plum Creek. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the collaborative efforts between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS in safeguarding the region from potential flooding events. As a key component of Nebraska's water management system, Boren Dam exemplifies the importance of proactive measures in ensuring the resilience of communities against natural disasters.
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 Boren Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 17 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 171 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 31 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 139 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 9 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boren Dam.
Boat launches
- Dogwood East
- Phillips Canyon Wma
- Bullhead Expressway Gosper County
- Elwood Wma
- Johnson Lake Sra Inlet
- Darr
Campgrounds
- Bob And Nancies
- Lexington City Park
- Sandy Channel State Rec Area
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Holdrege City Park
- Union Pacific State Rec Area
More reservoirs
Track Boren 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 Boren Dam
Where does the data for Boren 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 Boren Dam.