Wellfleet Dam dam
Wellfleet Dam
The Wellfleet Dam, located in Nebraska along the Medicine Creek, was completed in 1931 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 24 feet and a length of 475 feet, the dam provides storage of up to 970 acre-feet of water and covers a surface area of 80 acres. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is regularly inspected by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and structural integrity.
Managed by the state and situated in Lincoln County, the Wellfleet Dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's design consists of earth and stone materials, with a soil foundation, making it a vital structure for water resource management in the region. It is also equipped with spillways and outlet gates, although specific details about these features are not provided in the data. Furthermore, the dam has undergone modifications in 1961 to enhance its hydraulic capabilities, showcasing a commitment to adapting to changing environmental conditions and requirements.
The Wellfleet Dam's location in a picturesque setting along the Medicine Creek makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, the dam continues to contribute to the region's water supply management and recreational activities. As climate change impacts water resources, the Wellfleet Dam serves as a symbol of resilience and adaptation in maintaining a balance between human needs and the environment.
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 Wellfleet Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Platte River At North Platte | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 13 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Red Willow Creek Near Red Willow | 3 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 28 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wellfleet Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Potter's Pasture Old Campground
- Potter's Pasture New Campground
- Buffalo Roam Campground
- Kiwanis Point Campground
- Willow View Campground
- Red Willow Reservoir State Rec Area
Track Wellfleet 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 Wellfleet Dam
Where does the data for Wellfleet 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 Wellfleet Dam.