Bish Dam

TR-W FK BIG BLUE RIVER· Hamilton, Nebraska· Built 1971· Earth· 23 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Bish Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 39.7% in NE)
Dam Length560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage177 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge256 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDNE00106

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 13, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Harvey E Bish Trust

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bish Dam?

Bish Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bish Dam?

Bish Dam is owned by Harvey E Bish Trust (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bish Dam built?

Bish Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bish Dam?

Bish Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bish Dam?

Bish Dam has a dam height of 23 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bish Dam last inspected?

Bish Dam was last inspected on June 13, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.