Semler Dam is an earth dam located in Custer County, Nebraska, built in 1978. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 58 ft58 ft tall and 722 ft long, taller than 95% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Semler Dam
The primary purpose of Semler 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 Tr-middle Loup River near Sargent.
The dam stands 58 feet tall and stretches 722 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 44 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,760 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 04/13/2022.
At 58 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Custer |
| Nearest City | Sargent |
| River/Stream | Tr-middle Loup River |
| Coordinates | 41.67816, -99.37228 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 58 ft |
| Dam Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Length | 722 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,760 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,760 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 50 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Farwell Irrigation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE00732 |
| Federal ID | NE00732 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |