Dodd Dam is an earth dam located in Dawes County, Nebraska, built in 1962. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 42 ft42 ft tall and 1,133 ft long, taller than 88% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Dodd Dam
The primary purpose of Dodd 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 Nebraska Board of Educational Lands & Funds (state). It impounds the White Clay Creek near Crawford.
The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 1,133 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 448 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1962, 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 06/14/2022.
At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 88% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Dawes |
| Nearest City | Crawford |
| River/Stream | White Clay Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.62424, -103.37970 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,133 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 448 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 448 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,096 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Nebraska Board of Educational Lands & Funds |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE00820 |
| Federal ID | NE00820 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |