Waterford Ess Dam dam
Waterford Ess Dam
Waterford Ess Dam in Lancaster, Nebraska, is a key structure designed by Olsson Associates for flood risk reduction along Stevens Creek. Completed in 2008, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet, with a hydraulic height of 37.67 feet and a structural height of 47 feet. It boasts a storage capacity of 2081 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2 square miles, providing crucial flood protection to the surrounding area.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Waterford Ess Dam has a hazard potential rating of 'High' but a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2020. With a normal storage capacity of 968 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 6559 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water resource management in the region. Despite its importance, there are no associated structures and its emergency action plan status remains unclear.
Waterford Ess Dam, situated within the Kansas City District, serves as a significant infrastructure asset in the region, safeguarding against potential flood events and contributing to the overall climate resilience of Lancaster, Nebraska. Its strategic location and design features make it a crucial component in the state's water resource management efforts, highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance and monitoring to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting the local community and environment from water-related hazards.
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 Waterford Ess Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stevens Creek Nr. Lincoln | 39 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At 70th St. At Lincoln | 801 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Lincoln | 863 cfs | → |
| Little Salt Creek Near Lincoln | 15 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Pioneers Blvd At Lincoln | 297 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek At Sw 40th St. At Lincoln | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waterford Ess Dam.
Track Waterford Ess 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 Waterford Ess Dam
Where does the data for Waterford Ess 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 Waterford Ess Dam.