Utecht Dam dam
Utecht Dam
Utecht Dam, located in Adams County, Nebraska, along the TR-W FK BIG BLUE RIVER, stands as a vital structure in the region for flood risk reduction. Constructed in 1960, this private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 13.2 feet and spans a length of 205 feet, providing essential protection against potential flooding in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 13.3 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.51 square miles, Utecht Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and maintaining the safety of surrounding communities.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NE DNR), Utecht Dam is regularly inspected and regulated to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and not yet rated for its condition assessment, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of flood risk reduction effectively. With a last inspection date in October 2018 and an inspection frequency of every five years, Utecht Dam remains a key component in the local water infrastructure, contributing to the overall resilience of the area against potential flooding events.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Utecht Dam lies not only in its physical attributes but also in its role as a critical piece of infrastructure in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks. With its strategic location and operational capacity, this Earth dam serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to safeguard communities and enhance water resource management in Nebraska. As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by climate change, structures like Utecht Dam play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and safety of our water systems 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 Utecht Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Deweese | 34 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 149 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 20 cfs | → |
| Warm Slough Nr Central City | · | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 552 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Utecht Dam.
Track Utecht 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 Utecht Dam
Where does the data for Utecht 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 Utecht Dam.