Wilson Creek 12-16 dam
Wilson Creek 12-16
Wilson Creek 12-16 is a local government-owned dam located in Otoe, Nebraska, along the TR-N FK Little Nemaha River. Designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet with a structural height of 25 feet and a length of 590 feet. It serves primarily for flood risk reduction and other purposes, with a maximum storage capacity of 119 acre-feet and a normal storage of 14 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2016, Wilson Creek 12-16 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Situated in the Kansas City District, this dam has a drainage area of 0.4 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 537 cubic feet per second. While lacking certain features like spillways or outlet gates, it remains an essential structure for managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Wilson Creek 12-16 a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to protect communities from potential inundation. As part of a larger network of dams and water control structures, its role in conserving and regulating water flow in the TR-N FK Little Nemaha River watershed showcases the collaborative efforts between local governments and federal agencies like the USDA NRCS. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive risk management and sustainable water resource practices in Nebraska.
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 12-16 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 48 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 6,590 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 40,700 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Greenwood | 379 cfs | → |
| Platte R Nr Ashland | 6,100 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Nr. Lincoln | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Creek 12-16.
Track Wilson Creek 12-16 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 12-16
Where does the data for Wilson Creek 12-16 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 12-16.