Wichelt Dam

MIDWAY CANYON· Dawson, Nebraska· Built 1960· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Wichelt Dam is classified as low hazard in Nebraska. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 28.5% in NE)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage134 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge400 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDNE01309

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: December 7, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NE DNR

Ownership

Joyce D Sohl etal

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wichelt Dam?

Wichelt 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 Wichelt Dam?

Wichelt Dam is owned by Joyce D Sohl etal (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wichelt Dam built?

Wichelt Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Wichelt Dam?

Wichelt Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wichelt Dam?

Wichelt 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 Wichelt Dam last inspected?

Wichelt Dam was last inspected on December 7, 2022. 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.