Packer Dam dam
Packer Dam
Packer Dam, located in Gosper, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure that plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and other water management purposes. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 7.6 meters and has a storage capacity of 72.4 million cubic meters, with a normal storage level of 46.4 million cubic meters. Situated on Turkey Creek, the dam covers a surface area of 10.15 hectares and serves a drainage area of 2.18 square kilometers.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Packer Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment since the last inspection in March 2017. While the dam has not undergone any modifications over the years, it is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations. With a designated emergency action plan and contact information in place, Packer Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region, contributing to the overall safety and well-being of the surrounding community.
In the expansive landscape of water resource management, Packer Dam stands as a testament to the collaboration between private ownership and state regulatory agencies in safeguarding water resources and mitigating flood risks. As a cornerstone of infrastructure in Nebraska's water management system, Packer Dam exemplifies the importance of proactive monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness in ensuring the resilience of water structures in the face of changing climatic conditions. Its strategic location, design features, and operational effectiveness make it a vital component in the region's efforts to adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate and unpredictable water flow patterns.
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 Packer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Overton | 70 cfs | → |
| Sappa Creek Near Stamford | 5 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Beaver City | 0 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 34 cfs | → |
| Republican River Near Orleans | 18 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
About Packer Dam
Where does the data for Packer 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 below 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.
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.