Plum Creek 3-A dam
Plum Creek 3-A
Plum Creek 3-A is a vital water resource management structure located in Pawnee, Nebraska, designed by the USDA NRCS to serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-PLUM CREEK river or stream. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet, with a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 35 feet. With a storage capacity of 340 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.8 square miles, Plum Creek 3-A plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Plum Creek 3-A has a low hazard potential and is assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in April 2017. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 73 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 14 acres. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1016 cubic feet per second, this structure ensures effective flood control measures for the community of LIBERTY. Despite its age, Plum Creek 3-A continues to meet regulatory standards and remains a key asset in maintaining water resource sustainability in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Plum Creek 3-A lies in its role as a resilient flood risk reduction infrastructure in Pawnee, Nebraska. With its reliable design and satisfactory condition, this earth dam stands as a testament to effective water management practices and the collaborative efforts of local government agencies and regulatory bodies. As we continue to navigate the challenges of climate change and water resource management, structures like Plum Creek 3-A serve as essential components in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities in the face of increasing environmental uncertainties.
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 Plum Creek 3-A -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 408 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 272 cfs | → |
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 38 cfs | → |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 76 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 195 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 162 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plum Creek 3-A.
Boat launches
- Wolf - Wildcat
- Burchard Lake Wma
- Rockford Lake Sra
- Big Indian Recreation Area
- Iron Horse Trail Lake
- Bear Pierce Lake 2a
Track Plum Creek 3-A 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 Plum Creek 3-A
Where does the data for Plum Creek 3-A 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 Plum Creek 3-A.