Sherman Dam
Sherman Dam is an earth dam located in Sherman County, Nebraska, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sherman Dam
The primary purpose of Sherman Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Farwell Irrigation District (local government). It impounds the Oak Creek near Ashton.
The dam stands 134 feet tall and stretches 4,450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,868 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 125,477 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/17/2024.
At 134 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Nebraska dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Sherman |
| Nearest City | Ashton |
| River/Stream | Oak Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.30343, -98.88095 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 134 ft |
| Dam Height | 98 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 125,477 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 125,477 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 69,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,868 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,100 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Farwell Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/17/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01077 |
| Federal ID | NE01077 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |