Olson Dam 1529 dam
Olson Dam 1529
Olson Dam 1529, located in Polk, Nebraska, is a privately owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1975. The dam stands at a height of 23 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-BIG BLUE RIVER. With a storage capacity of 146 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Owned and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Olson Dam 1529 is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in May 2019, the dam is still monitored closely to mitigate any potential risks. With a drainage area of 0.5 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 255 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a vital role in the local water management infrastructure.
As part of the Omaha District, the dam does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. However, it continues to play a crucial role in flood risk reduction efforts and water resource management in the region. With its humble dimensions and low hazard potential, Olson Dam 1529 serves as a testament to the importance of small-scale infrastructure in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
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 Olson Dam 1529 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Cr | 10 cfs | → |
| Prairie Creek Nr Silver Creek Nebr | 9 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 38 cfs | → |
| Loup River Near Genoa | 412 cfs | → |
| Loup River Power Canal Near Genoa | 1,980 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olson Dam 1529.
Track Olson Dam 1529 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 Olson Dam 1529
Where does the data for Olson Dam 1529 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 Olson Dam 1529.