Map of All 2,961 Nebraska Dams
Nebraska has 2,961 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 160 are classified as high hazard (5% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 12 Nebraska dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Nebraska dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Nebraska to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Nebraska Dams by the Numbers
- 2,961 total dams in Nebraska
- 160 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 215 significant hazard
- 2,585 low hazard
- 812 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (796 poor, 16 unsatisfactory)
- 12 Nebraska dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Nebraska
The tallest dam in Nebraska is Medicine Creek Dam at 165 feet, completed in 1949. The 10 tallest Nebraska dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Creek Dam | 165 ft | 1949 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Frontier |
| Kingsley | 162 ft | 1941 | Hydroelectric | Fair | Keith |
| Trenton Dam | 144 ft | 1953 | Irrigation | Not Available | Hitchcock |
| Davis Creek Dam | 144 ft | 1990 | Irrigation | Not Available | Greeley |
| Sherman Dam | 134 ft | 1962 | Irrigation | Satisfactory | Sherman |
| Enders Dam | 134 ft | 1951 | Irrigation | Not Available | Chase |
| Red Willow Dam | 126 ft | 1962 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Frontier |
| Merritt Dam | 126 ft | 1964 | Irrigation | Not Available | Cherry |
| Elwood Dam | 118 ft | 1976 | Irrigation | Fair | Gosper |
| Minatare Dam | 114 ft | 1915 | Irrigation | Not Available | Scotts Bluff |
High-Hazard Nebraska Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 12 dams in Nebraska. Notable examples:
- Beaver Lake Dam (108 ft, Cass County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Gering Valley E (81 ft, Scotts Bluff County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Willow Creek Dam (80 ft, Pierce County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Gering Valley B (74 ft, Scotts Bluff County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Blackwood Creek 11-A (74 ft, Hayes County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Nebraska
Dam safety in Nebraska is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Nebraska?
Nebraska has 2,961 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 160 high hazard, 215 significant hazard, and 2,585 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Nebraska?
The tallest dam in Nebraska is Medicine Creek Dam at 165 feet, completed in 1949. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Nebraska dams are in poor condition?
812 Nebraska dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 12 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
