List of dams and reservoirs in Nebraska facts for kids
Have you ever wondered how we store water for drinking, farming, or making electricity? In Nebraska, like many places, we use special structures called dams and reservoirs to do just that! A dam is a big wall built across a river to hold back water. The area where the water collects behind the dam is called a reservoir, which is like a giant, artificial lake.
These dams and reservoirs are super important. They help us manage water, prevent floods, and even create fun places for boating and fishing. Some dams are considered "major" if they are at least 50 feet (about 15 meters) tall and can hold a lot of water. Or, they might be major if they can hold an extremely large amount of water, no matter their height.
Dams and Reservoirs in Nebraska
Many dams in Nebraska are managed by important government groups. The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) builds and manages dams to help with irrigation, which means bringing water to farms. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) works on projects like flood control and keeping rivers safe for boats.
Here is a list of some of the important dams and the reservoirs they create in Nebraska:
- Bartley Diversion Dam, on the Republican River. Managed by the USBR.
- Box Butte Dam, on the Niobrara River. Managed by the USBR.
- Cambridge Diversion Dam, on the Republican River. Managed by the USBR.
- Culbertson Diversion Dam, on Frenchman Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Davis Creek Dam, on Davis Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Dry Spotted Tail Diversion Dam, on Dry Spotted Tail Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Dunlap Diversion Dam, on the Niobrara River. Managed by the USBR.
- Enders Dam, on Frenchman Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Gavins Point Dam is a big dam that sits between Nebraska and South Dakota. It creates Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River. Managed by the USACE.
- Kent Diversion Dam, on the North Loup River. Managed by the USBR.
- Harlan County Reservoir, on the Republican River. Managed by the USACE.
- Kingsley Dam is a very important dam that creates Lake McConaughy. It is managed by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.
- Lake Alice No 1 Dam, a reservoir that helps balance water levels. Managed by the USBR.
- Lake Alice No 1 and 1 Half, another reservoir for balancing water. Managed by the USBR.
- Lake Alice No 2 Dam, also a reservoir for balancing water. Managed by the USBR.
- Medicine Creek Dam, on Medicine Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Merritt Dam, on the Snake River. Managed by the USBR.
- Milburn Diversion Dam, on the Middle Loup River. Managed by the USBR.
- Minatare Dam, a reservoir that helps balance water levels. Managed by the USBR.
- Papio Creek Dams, which create Glenn Cunningham Lake. Managed by the USACE.
- Red Willow Creek Diversion Dam, on Red Willow Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Red Willow Dam, on Red Willow Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Sherman Dam, which creates Sherman Reservoir. Managed by the Loup Basin Reclamation District.
- Spencer Dam, on the Niobrara River. Managed by the Nebraska Public Power District.
- Superior Courtland Diversion Dam, on the Republican River. Managed by the USBR.
- Trenton Dam, on the Republican River. Managed by the USBR.
- Tub Springs Creek Diversion Dam, on Tub Springs Creek. Managed by the USBR.
- Virginia Smith Dam, on the Calamus River. Managed by the USBR.
