Ellis Dam

TR-BEAVER CREEK· Red Willow, Nebraska· Built 1960· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Ellis Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 20.6% in NE)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage88 acre-ft
Normal Storage66 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDNE03473

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: December 11, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

William Ellis

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ellis Dam?

Ellis 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 Ellis Dam?

Ellis Dam is owned by William Ellis (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ellis Dam built?

Ellis Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Ellis Dam?

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

How tall is Ellis Dam?

Ellis Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Ellis Dam last inspected?

Ellis Dam was last inspected on December 11, 2023. 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.