Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8 dam
Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8
Located in Mills County, Iowa, the Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site 3-8 is a vital water resource managed by the local government for purposes such as fire protection, stock, and small fish pond maintenance. This Earth dam, completed in 1989, stands at 69 feet high and spans 650 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 606 acre-feet. The dam also serves flood risk reduction for the surrounding area, making it a crucial asset for water management in the region.
Managed by the USDA NRCS, this watershed site on McPherson Creek is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity. The dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in July 2020. With a drainage area of 0.64 square miles and a surface area of 18.2 acres, this site plays a crucial role in water storage and management in this part of Iowa.
The Waubonsie Creek Watershed Site 3-8, with its moderate risk assessment score, represents a significant piece of infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. With its controlled spillway and regulated operations, this site serves as a model for effective water management and conservation practices. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of such structures in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water availability for various purposes cannot be overstated.
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 Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 693 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 17 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 33,200 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 588 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 4,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8.
Boat launches
- Us 34;Us 275 Mills County
- Mills County
- Plattsmouth Boat Ramp
- I 29;Us 275 Mills County
- Haworth River Park
- Riverview Boat Ramp
Track Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8 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 Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8
Where does the data for Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8 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 Waubonsie Cr. Watershed Site 3-8.