West Sand Draw Cat Dam

W SAND DRAW· Brown, Nebraska· Built 1982· Earth· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

West Sand Draw Cat Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1982 and is 44 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 79.7% in NE)
Dam Length1,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage151 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge2,090 cfs
Year Completed1982 (44 years old)
NID IDNE01863

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: May 24, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of West Sand Draw Cat Dam?

West Sand Draw Cat 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 West Sand Draw Cat Dam?

West Sand Draw Cat Dam is owned by Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was West Sand Draw Cat Dam built?

West Sand Draw Cat Dam was completed in 1982, making it 44 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 West Sand Draw Cat Dam?

West Sand Draw Cat 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 West Sand Draw Cat Dam?

West Sand Draw Cat Dam has a dam height of 34 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 West Sand Draw Cat Dam last inspected?

West Sand Draw Cat Dam was last inspected on May 24, 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.