Rinkel Flood Control Dam

TR-ELKHORN RIVER· Madison, Nebraska· Built 1988· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Rinkel Flood Control Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1988 and is 38 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 28.5% in NE)
Dam Length785 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage190 acre-ft
Normal Storage73 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge160 cfs
Year Completed1988 (38 years old)
NID IDNE02311

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: October 7, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Rinkel Family Trust

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rinkel Flood Control Dam?

Rinkel Flood Control 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 Rinkel Flood Control Dam?

Rinkel Flood Control Dam is owned by Rinkel Family Trust (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rinkel Flood Control Dam built?

Rinkel Flood Control Dam was completed in 1988, making it 38 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 Rinkel Flood Control Dam?

Rinkel Flood Control 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 Rinkel Flood Control Dam?

Rinkel Flood Control Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Rinkel Flood Control Dam last inspected?

Rinkel Flood Control Dam was last inspected on October 7, 2019. 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.