Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam) dam
Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam)
Wilson Creek 1-9, also known as Heirs Dam, is a critical water resource structure located in Otoe, Nebraska. Constructed in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction. With a normal storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, this dam plays a vital role in managing water flow in the TR-N FK Little Nemaha River.
Despite its low hazard potential, Wilson Creek 1-9 is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of May 2019. The dam has a structural height of 29 feet and a length of 550 feet, highlighting its significant presence in the area. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources regulates this dam, ensuring its compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements for the safety of surrounding communities.
With its location in the Kansas City District and under the ownership of the local government, Wilson Creek 1-9 is a key infrastructure for water management in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Heirs Dam will be crucial in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water security for the future.
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 Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 37,100 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 74 cfs | → |
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 4,080 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 5,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam).
Track Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs 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 Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam)
Where does the data for Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs 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 Wilson Creek 1-9 (Heirs Dam).