Big Indian Creek 5-F dam
Big Indian Creek 5-F
Big Indian Creek 5-F is a local government-owned earth dam located in Gage, Nebraska, along the TR-Big Indian Creek. Built in 1972 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 883 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving the surrounding area by controlling water flow and reducing the risk of inundation during heavy rainfall events. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Big Indian Creek 5-F plays a crucial role in safeguarding the community against potential flooding.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, this dam undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. With a drainage area of 2.4 square miles and a maximum discharge of 992 cubic feet per second, Big Indian Creek 5-F is equipped to handle significant water flow and reduce the risk of downstream flooding. Its location in a rural area underscores the importance of water resource management and climate resilience, highlighting the critical role that dams like Big Indian Creek 5-F play in protecting communities and agricultural land from the impacts of extreme weather events.
As part of the flood risk reduction infrastructure in the region, Big Indian Creek 5-F provides valuable ecosystem services and contributes to the overall resilience of the watershed. With a focus on sustainable water resource management and climate adaptation, this dam serves as a vital asset for the community, helping to mitigate the impacts of flooding and protect both human and natural systems from the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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 Big Indian Creek 5-F -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 231 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 862 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Fairbury | 187 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 933 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Washington | 38 cfs | → |
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 389 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Indian Creek 5-F.
Boat launches
- Diamond Lake Wma
- Arrowhead Wma
- Big Indian Recreation Area
- 9b - Leisure Lake
- 12a - Recreation Area
- Crystal Lake
Track Big Indian Creek 5-F 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 Big Indian Creek 5-F
Where does the data for Big Indian Creek 5-F 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 Big Indian Creek 5-F.