Hadwiger Dam
Hadwiger Dam is an earth dam located in Buffalo County, Nebraska, built in 1978. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Hadwiger Dam
The primary purpose of Hadwiger 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 Buffalo County (local government). It impounds the Tr-wood River near Riverdale.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 980 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 520 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 10/02/2024.
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 | Buffalo |
| Nearest City | Riverdale |
| River/Stream | Tr-wood River |
| Coordinates | 40.77179, -99.18820 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 980 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 520 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 520 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 111 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Buffalo County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/02/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01670 |
| Federal ID | NE01670 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |