Papio Creek W-2 dam
Papio Creek W-2
Papio Creek W-2, nestled in Washington, Nebraska, along the TR-Big Papio Creek, is a vital water resource infrastructure managed by the USDA NRCS. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at 34 feet high and serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction. With a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 504 cubic feet per second, Papio Creek W-2 plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential water-related hazards.
Owned and regulated by the local government and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Papio Creek W-2 undergoes regular inspections, with its condition assessed as satisfactory as of June 2020. Despite its low hazard potential, this earth dam remains a key component in the region's water management system. Situated in the Omaha District, this structure not only fulfills its primary purpose of flood risk reduction but also contributes to other water resource management initiatives in the area.
With its stone core and soil foundation, Papio Creek W-2 spans 500 feet in length and covers a surface area of 4 acres, serving a drainage area of 0.2 square miles. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricacies of this dam, they can appreciate its role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region while ensuring the safety and well-being of the local 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 Papio Creek W-2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhorn River At Waterloo | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 76 cfs | → |
| Platte River Nr Leshara | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 153 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek Near Uehling | 320 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 34,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Papio Creek W-2.
Boat launches
- Blair City Boat Ramp
- Prairie View Recreation Area
- Elkhorn Crossing Recreation
- Desoto Bend Nwr
- Johnson Park Lake
- North 242nd Street Douglas County
Track Papio Creek W-2 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 Papio Creek W-2
Where does the data for Papio Creek W-2 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 Papio Creek W-2.