Upper Little Nemaha 5

About Upper Little Nemaha 5

The primary purpose of Upper Little Nemaha 5 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 Nemaha Natural Resources District (local government). It impounds the Tr-hooper Creek near Unadilla.

The dam stands 48 feet tall and stretches 1,190 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 46 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,035 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 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 05/10/2023.

At 48 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.

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