Bear - Pierce - Cedar 5-a is an earth dam located in Gage County, Nebraska, built in 1976. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 1,163 ft long, taller than 74% 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 Bear - Pierce - Cedar 5-a
The primary purpose of Bear - Pierce - Cedar 5-a 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 Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (local government). It impounds the Tr-pierce Creek near Beatrice.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,163 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,710 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 11/09/2021.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Gage |
| Nearest City | Beatrice |
| River/Stream | Tr-pierce Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.41251, -96.62522 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,163 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,710 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,710 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 113 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,864 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/09/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01539 |
| Federal ID | NE01539 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |