Wes Clark Cat Dam
Wes Clark Cat Dam is an earth dam located in Garden County, Nebraska, built in 1981. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wes Clark Cat Dam
The primary purpose of Wes Clark Cat 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 North Platte Natural Resources District (local government). It impounds the Tr-north Platte River near Farmsteads.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 980 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 328 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/17/2024.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.
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 | Garden |
| Nearest City | Farmsteads |
| River/Stream | Tr-north Platte River |
| Coordinates | 41.32783, -102.05782 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 980 ft |
| Year Completed | 1981 (45 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 328 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 328 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 12 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,085 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | North Platte Natural Resources District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/17/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01204 |
| Federal ID | NE01204 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |