Upper Big Nemaha 1-b41 is an earth dam located in Johnson County, Nebraska, built in 1982. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 46 ft46 ft tall and 1,416 ft long, taller than 91% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Upper Big Nemaha 1-b41
The primary purpose of Upper Big Nemaha 1-b41 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-big Nemaha River near Sterling.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 1,416 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 893 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1982, the structure is 44 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 05/05/2022.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Johnson |
| Nearest City | Sterling |
| River/Stream | Tr-big Nemaha River |
| Coordinates | 40.49697, -96.37101 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,416 ft |
| Year Completed | 1982 (44 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 893 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 893 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 259 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 569 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Nemaha Natural Resources District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/05/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE02146 |
| Federal ID | NE02146 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |