Carlson Dam dam
Carlson Dam
Carlson Dam, located in Polk, Nebraska, is a vital piece of infrastructure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks in the area. Completed in 1983, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 32 feet. It spans 450 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 265 acre-feet, providing essential flood control for the surrounding region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Carlson Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in June 2016. With a drainage area of 1.5 square miles, the dam serves the TR-Clear Creek, helping to mitigate potential flooding events. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, and it continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the local community against water-related disasters.
Operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Carlson Dam is a key component of the water resource management in the region, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in Polk, Nebraska. With its impressive design and storage capacity, this earth dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective flood control measures in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water-related risks.
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 Carlson Dam -- 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 | → |
| Loup River Power Canal Near Genoa | 1,980 cfs | → |
| Loup River Near Genoa | 412 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Genoa | 128 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 1,660 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carlson Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Carlson 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 Carlson Dam
Where does the data for Carlson 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 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 Carlson Dam.