Vyhnalek Dam dam
Vyhnalek Dam
Vyhnalek Dam in Seward, Nebraska, stands as a crucial structure designed for flood risk reduction along TR-Middle Creek. Completed in 1993, this earth dam reaches a height of 31.7 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 25.8 acre-feet, serving as a key protective barrier for the surrounding area. Despite its essential role in flood control, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and inspection to ensure its continued effectiveness.
Managed by a private entity, Vyhnalek Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, with state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement all in place to uphold safety standards. The dam's low hazard potential underscores its importance in safeguarding the local community against potential flooding events. While it may require improvements to enhance its structural integrity and overall condition, Vyhnalek Dam remains a critical component in the region's water resource management efforts.
Located within the Kansas City District and Congressional District 01 of Nebraska, Vyhnalek Dam is a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners and state agencies in addressing flood risk within the area. With its strategic positioning and design, this earth dam not only contributes to flood control but also serves as a vital asset in water resource and climate resilience initiatives. Efforts to maintain and improve the dam will be crucial in ensuring its long-term effectiveness in protecting the community and surrounding environment from potential water-related hazards.
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 Vyhnalek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Creek At Air Park Rd At Lincoln | 23 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Haines Branch At Sw 56th St. At Lincoln | 11 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 71 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 9 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vyhnalek Dam.
Boat launches
Track Vyhnalek 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 Vyhnalek Dam
Where does the data for Vyhnalek 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 Vyhnalek Dam.