Merritt

SNAKE RIVER· Cherry, Nebraska· Built 1964· Earth· 121 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Federal Government

Physical Details

Dam Height 121 ft (taller than 99.8% in NE)
Dam Length3,222 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage78.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage74.5K acre-ft
Surface Area3,222 acres
Drainage Area600 sq mi
Max Discharge2,080 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDNE01074

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 16, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Merritt?

Merritt is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Who owns Merritt?

Merritt is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government).

When was Merritt last inspected?

Merritt was last inspected on September 16, 2020.

When was Merritt built?

Merritt was completed in 1964, making it 62 years old.

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.