LPSNRD has partnered with the USDA/NRCS for many years on projects to upgrade existing flood control dams to current "high hazard" design standards, providing better downstream protection from flooding.  The rehabilitation of Upper Salt Watershed Dam 3-A, at Stagecoach Road and Southwest 2nd Street, near Sprague, NE, included many typical elements of these projects, plus it required realigning part of Southwest 2nd Street.  Completed in the fall of 2021 at a cost of $1.8 million, the project included a higher and wider dam, a wider auxiliary spillway, increased flood pool storage, new inlet structure, larger principal spillway pipe and a plunge pool impact basin to slow down discharge flows.  NRCS provided 65% funding for the project through its Watershed Rehabilitation Program.  Lancaster County was also a partner in this particular project, designing the realignment of the county road.

Below are photos of the project:

Upper Salt 3-A was built in 1955.

Completed Riser - the lake is drawn-down to allow work on the project.

New outflow structure and dam pipe being constructed under Stagecoach Road.

Completed outflow structure.

Completed dam face and riser.

Stagecoach Road - September 2020

Widened Stagecoach Road on top of dam, looking west.

New intersection of Stagecoach Road (foreground) and Southwest 2nd Street, looking northeast.