Williamson Irrigation Dam dam
Williamson Irrigation Dam
The Williamson Irrigation Dam, located in Niobrara, Boyd County, Nebraska, plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction along the TR-Keya Paha River. Completed in 2016, this earth dam stands at a height of 30.7 feet and has a storage capacity of 128.4 acre-feet. With a satisfactory condition assessment and low hazard potential, the dam provides essential protection to the surrounding area while also serving as a valuable water resource for irrigation purposes.
Managed by a private owner, the Williamson Irrigation Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's primary purpose of flood risk reduction is evident through its design and construction, which includes a stone core and soil foundation. With a drainage area of 1.48 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 241 cubic feet per second, the dam effectively controls water flow and minimizes the risk of flooding in the region.
As a key component of water management in Nebraska, the Williamson Irrigation Dam stands as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change. With its strategic location and reliable performance, this dam not only protects the local community from potential disasters but also highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 Williamson Irrigation Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 0 cfs | → |
| Long Pine Creek Near Riverview | 208 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd | 57 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Nr. Verdel | 2,530 cfs | → |
| Ponca Creek At Verdel | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williamson Irrigation Dam.
Boat launches
- Hull Lake Wma
- Gregory County
- North Wheeler Road Charles Mix County
- 376th Avenue Charles Mix County
- 293rd Street Charles Mix County
Track Williamson Irrigation 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 Williamson Irrigation Dam
Where does the data for Williamson Irrigation 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 Williamson Irrigation Dam.