Zalesky Dam dam
Zalesky Dam
Zalesky Dam, located in Jefferson, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure that was completed in 1980 to serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. This earth dam, with a height of 24.6 feet and a length of 307 feet, stands along the TR-S FK SWAN CREEK, providing essential protection to the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 75.2 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 34 feet, Zalesky Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating potential flood risks in the region.
Despite its important function, Zalesky Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in March 2017 highlighted the need for improvements to ensure the dam's continued effectiveness in protecting the community. With the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources overseeing regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement, efforts are ongoing to address the dam's structural deficiencies and enhance its resilience to climate-related challenges. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Zalesky Dam in safeguarding the local area and the efforts being made to secure its long-term functionality.
As a key infrastructure in the area, Zalesky Dam also holds historical and environmental significance. Its location within the Omaha District and Congressional District 03, Nebraska, underscores its importance in the regional water management system. With its earth and stone construction, Zalesky Dam represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and natural materials, harmonizing with the surrounding landscape. By understanding and supporting the maintenance and improvement of structures like Zalesky Dam, enthusiasts can contribute to sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
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 Zalesky Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blue River Near Fairbury | 213 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 105 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 162 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 298 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 71 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Washington | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Zalesky Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Crystal Springs Lake
- Leisure Lake Wma
- Rock Creek Station State Rec Area
- Buckley Creek
- Diller City Park
- Riverside Park - Beatrice
Fishing spots
Track Zalesky 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 Zalesky Dam
Where does the data for Zalesky 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 Zalesky Dam.