Getty Dam dam
Getty Dam
Getty Dam, located in Arapahoe, Nebraska, is a local government-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS to regulate the flow of the TR-E BR MUDDY CREEK. Completed in 1963, this earth dam stands at 14 feet tall and stretches 300 feet in length, providing flood risk reduction and other purposes for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, Getty Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Gosper County.
Despite its importance, Getty Dam is currently in poor condition according to a 2019 assessment. The dam, constructed with stone core and soil foundation, undergoes inspections every 5 years by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure its structural integrity. As a state-regulated and permitted dam, it is subject to enforcement and regulatory measures to maintain safety standards and operational efficiency for water management in the region.
With its significant presence in the local water infrastructure, Getty Dam serves as a vital component in the overall water resource management system in Nebraska. As climate change continues to impact water availability and extreme weather events, the proper maintenance and upkeep of dams like Getty Dam are crucial to safeguarding communities and ecosystems against potential risks and ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Getty Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 17 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 171 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Beaver City | 1 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 31 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 139 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Getty Dam.
Boat launches
- Elwood Wma
- Plum Creek Canyon Reservoir Wma
- Johnson Lake Sra Inlet
- Bullhead Expressway Gosper County
- Gallagher Canyon Sra
- Phillips Canyon Wma
Campgrounds
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Holbrook City Park
- Lexington City Park
- Muny Park
- George Mitchell Rv Park
- Bob And Nancies
Fishing spots
Track Getty Dam 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 Getty Dam
Where does the data for Getty Dam 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 Hazard 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 Getty Dam.