Elwood Dam
Elwood Dam is an earth dam located in Gosper County, Nebraska, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Elwood Dam
The primary purpose of Elwood Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District (public utility). It impounds the Tr-plum Creek near Kearney.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 3,980 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,145 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 45,950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/02/2024.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Gosper |
| Nearest City | Kearney |
| River/Stream | Tr-plum Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.63637, -99.85312 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 100 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,980 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 45,950 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 45,950 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37,956 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,145 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/02/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01680 |
| Federal ID | NE01680 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |