Mitchell Brandt Dam dam
Mitchell Brandt Dam
Mitchell Brandt Dam, located in Meadow Grove, Nebraska, is a private dam designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1973, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the Elkhorn River, with a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 156 acre-feet. The dam is of earth type construction with a stone core and soil foundation, measuring 529 feet in length and covering a drainage area of 1.7 square miles.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Mitchell Brandt Dam is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 616 cubic feet per second and a normal storage capacity of 26 acre-feet, serving as a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the region. With its location in Antelope County and its association with the Omaha District of the USACE, Mitchell Brandt Dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks and protecting the surrounding communities.
As an essential component of the local water management system, Mitchell Brandt Dam exemplifies the collaboration between private ownership, federal design, and state regulation in safeguarding against potential flooding events. With a focus on flood risk reduction, the dam's satisfactory condition and low hazard potential underscore its importance in maintaining water security and climate resilience in the area. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Mitchell Brandt Dam stands as a crucial piece of infrastructure in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community it serves.
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 Mitchell Brandt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Elkhorn River Near Pierce | 59 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Ewing | 67 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn R At Norfolk Ne | 279 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek At Center | 52 cfs | → |
| Verdigre C Nr Verdigre | 206 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek Near Niobrara | 65 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mitchell Brandt Dam.
Track Mitchell Brandt 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 Mitchell Brandt Dam
Where does the data for Mitchell Brandt 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 Mitchell Brandt Dam.