Mcdowell Dam 1

ENGLISH CREEK· Dawes, Nebraska· Built 1929· Earth· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Mcdowell Dam 1 is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 17.6% in NE)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage32 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
NID IDNE00802

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: April 15, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Mary C McDowell Trust

Private

Nearby Dams

Squaw Creek Dam

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Low Hazard 25 ft

Crow Butte Resources Northwest Lagoon

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Low Hazard 24 ft

Crow Butte Resources Southwest Lagoon

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Low Hazard 26 ft

Crow Butte Resources East Lagoon

Dawes, NE

Low Hazard 27 ft

Alcorn Dam

Dawes, NE

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Souther Dam

Dawes, NE

Low Hazard 13 ft

Dodd Dam

Dawes, NE

Significant Hazard 38 ft

Dodd Mcdowell Dam

Dawes, NE

Low Hazard 13 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mcdowell Dam 1?

Mcdowell Dam 1 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 Mcdowell Dam 1?

Mcdowell Dam 1 is owned by Mary C McDowell Trust (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mcdowell Dam 1 built?

Mcdowell Dam 1 was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 Mcdowell Dam 1?

Mcdowell Dam 1 serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Mcdowell Dam 1?

Mcdowell Dam 1 has a dam height of 17 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 Mcdowell Dam 1 last inspected?

Mcdowell Dam 1 was last inspected on April 15, 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.