Box Butte Dam

Box Butte Dam Quick Facts

Location: Dawes, Nebraska
Coordinates: 42.4544, -103.0774
River: Niobrara River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1945
Dam Height: 87 ft (27 m)
Dam Length: 5,508 ft (1,679 m)
Dam Capacity: 47,800 acre-ft (58,960 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Box Butte Dam Map

Box Butte Dam Information

Box Butte Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 10 miles from Dunlap, Dawes, Nebraska.

The dam, which is on the Niobrara River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation benefits.

The dam was designed by US Bureau of Reclamation and commissioned in 1945 and is currently owned by US Bureau of Reclamation.

Box Butte Dam Structure

The Box Butte Dam is approximately 5,508 feet (1,679 m) long, 87 feet (27 m) high and has a structural volume of 1,422,000 cubic yards (1,087,197 cubic metres).

Box Butte Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 31,060 acre-ft (38,312 Ml) and maximum capacity of 47,800 acre-ft (58,960 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 1,799 acres (728 ha) and the total catchment area is 1,260 square miles (3,263 square kilometres).

Box Butte Dam Spillway

The dam has a 590 feet (180 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 25500 cubic feet per second (722 cubic metres per second).

Box Butte Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Box Butte Dam
Dawes, Nebraska
Height (ft)
87
Length (Ft)
5,508
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
47,800
Drainage Area (sq miles)
1,260
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Box Butte Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Box Butte Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Box Butte Dam

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Box Butte Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Box Butte Dam?

Box Butte Dam is in Nebraska.

In which county is the Box Butte Dam?

Box Butte Dam is in Dawes County.

How high is the Box Butte Dam?

Box Butte Dam is 87 feet high.

How long is the Box Butte Dam?

Box Butte Dam is 5,508 feet long.

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Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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