Upper Big Nemaha 6-a is an earth dam located in Gage County, Nebraska, built in 1978. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 43 ft43 ft tall and 922 ft long, taller than 89% 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 Upper Big Nemaha 6-a
The primary purpose of Upper Big Nemaha 6-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 Nemaha Natural Resources District (local government). It impounds the Tr-mid Br Big Nemaha River near Sterling.
The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 922 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 633 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 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 11/09/2021.
At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Gage |
| Nearest City | Sterling |
| River/Stream | Tr-mid Br Big Nemaha River |
| Coordinates | 40.44732, -96.48777 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Height | 41 ft |
| Dam Length | 922 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 633 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 633 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 157 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 680 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Nemaha 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 | NE01659 |
| Federal ID | NE01659 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |