Blanke Dam

Blanke Dam is an earth dam located in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, built in 1956. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Blanke Dam

The primary purpose of Blanke 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 Robert Blanke (private). It impounds the Tr-lodgepole Creek near Sidney.

The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 318 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 203 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1956, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 04/20/2022.

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Significant HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateNebraska
CountyCheyenne
Nearest CitySidney
River/StreamTr-lodgepole Creek
Coordinates41.18196, -102.98100

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height21 ft
Dam Height21 ft
Dam Length318 ft
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage203 acre-ft
Max Storage203 acre-ft
Normal Storage128 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge2,120 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerRobert Blanke
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection04/20/2022
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDNE01141
Federal IDNE01141
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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