Willoughby Dam
Willoughby Dam is an earth dam located in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Willoughby Dam
The primary purpose of Willoughby Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Emerald Ranch Llc (private). It impounds the Tr-lodgepole Creek near Potter.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 637 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 263 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 03/24/2023.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Cheyenne |
| Nearest City | Potter |
| River/Stream | Tr-lodgepole Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.19890, -103.31697 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 637 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 263 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 263 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 58 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,020 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Emerald Ranch LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/24/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE00603 |
| Federal ID | NE00603 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |