Middle Big Nemaha 12 is an earth dam located in Johnson County, Nebraska, built in 2000. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 54 ft54 ft tall and 1,534 ft long, taller than 94% 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 Middle Big Nemaha 12
The primary purpose of Middle Big Nemaha 12 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-yankee Creek near Vesta.
The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 1,534 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,966 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 2000, the structure is 26 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 04/04/2022.
At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Johnson |
| Nearest City | Vesta |
| River/Stream | Tr-yankee Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.36466, -96.39689 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,534 ft |
| Year Completed | 2000 (26 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,966 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,966 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 190 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,010 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Nemaha Natural Resources District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/04/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE02535 |
| Federal ID | NE02535 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |