Smith Family Ranch West Dam

TR-NIOBRARA RIVER· Holt, Nebraska· Built 1980· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Smith Family Ranch West Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1980 and is 46 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 35.8% in NE)
Dam Length875 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage109 acre-ft
Normal Storage73 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1980 (46 years old)
NID IDNE09766

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 22, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Big Buck Ranch LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Smith Family Ranch West Dam?

Smith Family Ranch West 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 Smith Family Ranch West Dam?

Smith Family Ranch West Dam is owned by Big Buck Ranch LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Smith Family Ranch West Dam built?

Smith Family Ranch West Dam was completed in 1980, making it 46 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 Smith Family Ranch West Dam?

Smith Family Ranch 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 Smith Family Ranch West Dam?

Smith Family Ranch West Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Smith Family Ranch West Dam last inspected?

Smith Family Ranch West Dam was last inspected on April 22, 2020. 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.