Kelley Creek West Dam

TR-REPUBLICAN RIVER· Red Willow, Nebraska· Built 1979· Earth· 34 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Kelley Creek West Dam is classified as high hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 79.7% in NE)
Dam Length732 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage9 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge11,521 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDNE01672

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 23, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Middle Republican Natural Resources District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kelley Creek West Dam?

Kelley Creek West Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Kelley Creek West Dam?

Kelley Creek West Dam is owned by Middle Republican Natural Resources District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kelley Creek West Dam built?

Kelley Creek West Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Kelley Creek West Dam?

Kelley Creek West 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 Kelley Creek West Dam?

Kelley Creek West Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Kelley Creek West Dam last inspected?

Kelley Creek West Dam was last inspected on May 23, 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.