Heaton Dam
Heaton Dam is an earth dam located in Sheridan County, Nebraska, built in 1951. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Heaton Dam
The primary purpose of Heaton Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Nebraska Board Of Educational Lands & Funds (state). It impounds the Box Butte Creek near Valentine.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 334 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 292 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 197 square miles. Completed in 1951, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 06/01/2020.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Sheridan |
| Nearest City | Valentine |
| River/Stream | Box Butte Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.44835, -102.65865 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 334 ft |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 292 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 292 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 44 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 197 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,450 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Nebraska Board of Educational Lands & Funds |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/01/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE00786 |
| Federal ID | NE00786 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |