Kelley Creek West Dam dam
Kelley Creek West Dam
Kelley Creek West Dam in Red Willow, Nebraska, is a crucial structure owned by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR-Republican River. With a storage capacity of 1183 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4.8 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in mitigating potential hazards in the region.
The dam, designed by Benjamin Kasl & Assoc, features a stone core and soil foundation, with a structural height of 35 feet and a length of 732 feet. Its hazard potential is classified as high, although its condition assessment remains satisfactory as of the last inspection in August 2020. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 9 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 11,521 cubic feet per second, highlighting its importance in managing water resources and protecting the local community from potential flooding events.
Kelley Creek West Dam is not only a significant infrastructure for flood risk reduction but also a crucial component of the region's water resource management efforts. With its strategic location and design features, the dam plays a critical role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential inundation while ensuring the efficient utilization of water resources in Red Willow County, Nebraska. Its ongoing inspection, enforcement, and regulatory oversight by the Nebraska DNR underscore the commitment to maintaining the dam's integrity and functionality for the benefit of the local community and the environment.
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 Kelley Creek West Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 28 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
| Red Willow Creek Near Red Willow | 3 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Beaver C At Cedar Bluffs | · | → |
| Republican River At Cambridge | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kelley Creek West Dam.
Track Kelley Creek West 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 Kelley Creek West Dam
Where does the data for Kelley Creek West 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 High 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 Kelley Creek West Dam.