Middle Big Nemaha 88 is an earth dam located in Johnson County, Nebraska, built in 2001. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 56 ft56 ft tall and 1,360 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 88
The primary purpose of Middle Big Nemaha 88 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 Laflins Branch near Crab Orchard.
The dam stands 56 feet tall and stretches 1,360 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 36 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,643 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 2001, the structure is relatively new.
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 56 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Johnson |
| Nearest City | Crab Orchard |
| River/Stream | Laflins Branch |
| Coordinates | 40.34494, -96.43059 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 56 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,360 ft |
| Year Completed | 2001 (25 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,643 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,643 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 257 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 36 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,674 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 | NE02609 |
| Federal ID | NE02609 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |