Pieper Dam dam
Pieper Dam
Pieper Dam, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed for flood risk reduction on the TR-Platte River. Completed in 1960, this Earth dam stands at a height of 15.8 feet and has a length of 385 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 8 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 57.5 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a drainage area of 0.56 square miles, Pieper Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region. Its stone core and soil foundation contribute to its structural integrity, while its location in SES24T13R30W serves as a key point for flood control efforts along the Platte River. Although the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated" and its last inspection dates back to September 2015, its maintenance and emergency preparedness are monitored with a 10-year inspection frequency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pieper Dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure in Nebraska's flood risk reduction strategy. As part of the Kansas City District, the dam's presence helps safeguard the surrounding area from potential inundation events and ensures the efficient management of water flow along the Platte River. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, Pieper Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climates and evolving environmental challenges.
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 Pieper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At North Platte | 1,290 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Roscoe Nebr | 37 cfs | → |
| Dismal River Near Thedford | 262 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pieper Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Fremont Slough
- North Platte I-80 City Lake
- Fort Mcpherson Dor
- Birdwood Lake
- Maxwell Rest Stop Dor
- East Hershey Lake
More reservoirs
Track Pieper 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 Pieper Dam
Where does the data for Pieper 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 Pieper Dam.