Upper Little Nemaha 21

LITTLE NEMAHA RIVER· Lancaster, Nebraska· Built 1998· Earth· 51 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Little Nemaha 21 is classified as high hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1998 and is 28 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 51 ft (taller than 96.8% in NE)
Dam Length2,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage267 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge15,225 cfs
Year Completed1998 (28 years old)
NID IDNE02518

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: June 27, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Nemaha Natural Resources District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Little Nemaha 21?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Upper Little Nemaha 21?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 is owned by Nemaha Natural Resources District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Little Nemaha 21 built?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 was completed in 1998, making it 28 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 Upper Little Nemaha 21?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 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 Upper Little Nemaha 21?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 has a dam height of 51 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 Upper Little Nemaha 21 last inspected?

Upper Little Nemaha 21 was last inspected on June 27, 2023. 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.