Vandenberg Dam 271 dam
Vandenberg Dam 271
Vandenberg Dam 271, located in Butler, Nebraska, was completed in 1970 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. This private dam stands at a height of 22 feet with a hydraulic height of 21 feet, and a length of 620 feet. With a storage capacity of 83.8 acre-feet, it provides essential water resources for the surrounding area, covering a surface area of 6.3 acres and draining an area of 0.6 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Vandenberg Dam 271 plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. Its location on the TR-Big Blue River, within the Omaha District, highlights its significance in providing water for agricultural and environmental needs. The dam's primary purpose of fire protection underscores its role in safeguarding the community against potential risks, while also supporting local wildlife and livestock through stock and small fish pond management. With the support of the NRCS, Vandenberg Dam 271 continues to be a vital resource for water conservation and sustainability efforts in the area.
As a private dam in Nebraska, Vandenberg Dam 271 exemplifies the collaboration between government agencies and private owners in ensuring the safety and efficiency of water infrastructure. With a history of successful operation and maintenance, this earth dam with stone core types stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water management practices. Through state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes, Vandenberg Dam 271 remains a reliable asset for water storage and distribution, contributing to the overall resilience of the local ecosystem and community.
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 Vandenberg Dam 271 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 43 cfs | → |
| Oak Creek At Air Park Rd At Lincoln | 20 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 72 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 4 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vandenberg Dam 271.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Vandenberg Dam 271 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 Vandenberg Dam 271
Where does the data for Vandenberg Dam 271 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 Vandenberg Dam 271.