Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam) dam
Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam)
Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2, also known as Bruning Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in Fillmore, Nebraska. Completed in 1984, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 45 feet, with a hydraulic height of 45 feet and a structural height of 50 feet. The dam spans a length of 1780 feet and has a storage capacity of 10,538 acre-feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along TR-DRY SANDY CREEK.
With a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2018, Bruning Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections every 3 years. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 1,954 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capability of 9,075 cubic feet per second, helping to manage water flow and mitigate flood risks in the area. Situated within a drainage area of 24.9 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding communities from potential flooding events.
As an essential infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, Bruning Dam serves as a key component of the water resource management system in Fillmore County, Nebraska. With its strategic location on Big Sandy Creek and its vital role in storing water during peak flow periods, this dam exemplifies the importance of effective dam operations and maintenance to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure the safety and resilience of the local community in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blue River Near Fairbury | 213 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Deweese | 61 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 71 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 105 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 162 cfs | → |
| Republican R Nr Hardy | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning 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 Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam)
Where does the data for Big Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning 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 Significant 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 Sandy Creek 35-5-2 (Bruning Dam).