Sachs-palmer Dam
Sachs-palmer Dam is an earth dam located in Douglas County, Nebraska, built in 2002. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sachs-palmer Dam
The primary purpose of Sachs-palmer 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 Papio Missouri River Natural Resources District (local government). It impounds the Tr-n Br W Papio Creek near Rural Elkhorn.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 787 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 352 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 2002, the structure is relatively new.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/24/2023.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
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 | Douglas |
| Nearest City | Rural Elkhorn |
| River/Stream | Tr-n Br W Papio Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.33641, -96.23841 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 787 ft |
| Year Completed | 2002 (24 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 352 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 352 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 16 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,055 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Papio Missouri River Natural Resources District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/24/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE02638 |
| Federal ID | NE02638 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |