Lower Medicine Creek 160

CEDAR CREEK· Frontier, Nebraska· Built 1979· Earth· 73 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Medicine Creek 160 is classified as significant hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 73 ft (taller than 99.3% in NE)
Dam Length1,276 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage10.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage59 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area56 sq mi
Max Discharge21,935 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDNE01736

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 21, 2022
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 Lower Medicine Creek 160?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lower Medicine Creek 160?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 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 Lower Medicine Creek 160 built?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 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 Lower Medicine Creek 160?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 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 Lower Medicine Creek 160?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 has a dam height of 73 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 Lower Medicine Creek 160 last inspected?

Lower Medicine Creek 160 was last inspected on July 21, 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.