Richardson Dam 433 dam
Richardson Dam 433
Richardson Dam 433, located in Keya Paha, Nebraska, serves as a crucial irrigation structure along the BR Spotted Tail Creek. Built in 1955 by the USDA NRCS, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans a length of 320 feet, with a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. Despite its significant role in supporting agricultural activities in the region, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 rated it as poor, with a low hazard potential.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Richardson Dam 433 is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement. It is situated within the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and falls under the jurisdiction of the NE DNR. While the dam's primary purpose is irrigation, its design includes stone core types and a soil foundation. With a drainage area of 0.4 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 371 cubic feet per second, the dam covers a surface area of 7 acres and plays a vital role in water resource management in the region.
In light of its poor condition assessment and potential risks associated with its operation, ongoing monitoring and maintenance of Richardson Dam 433 are essential to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the sustainability of water resources in the area. With the involvement of regulatory agencies, designers, and stakeholders, efforts to address the dam's structural deficiencies and mitigate potential hazards can contribute to the long-term resilience of this vital irrigation infrastructure.
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 Richardson Dam 433 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Niobrara River At Mariaville | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd | 57 cfs | → |
| Long Pine Creek Near Riverview | 208 cfs | → |
| Platte Creek Near Platte | 0 cfs | → |
| Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd | 22 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Near Sparks | 641 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richardson Dam 433.
Track Richardson Dam 433 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 Richardson Dam 433
Where does the data for Richardson Dam 433 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 Richardson Dam 433.