Farwell 4-70 dam
Farwell 4-70
Farwell 4-70, located in Howard County, Nebraska, is a local government-owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1967, this dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction and water storage, with a normal storage capacity of 34 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.5 square miles. The dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a structural height of 28 feet, providing essential water resource management for the surrounding area.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of April 2020, Farwell 4-70 plays a crucial role in maintaining the water supply and mitigating flood risks in the region. The dam's location on TR-Oak Creek underscores its importance in managing water flow and ensuring water security for local residents. Despite its age, the dam continues to be inspected regularly, with the last inspection date in April 2020 and a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and functionality.
As a key infrastructure project in the area, Farwell 4-70 highlights the collaborative efforts between federal agencies like the USDA NRCS and state regulators like the Nebraska DNR in ensuring effective water resource management. The dam's construction and operation reflect a dedication to sustainable water practices and climate resilience, making it a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts concerned about the impact of climate change on water availability and safety in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Farwell 4-70 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 154 cfs | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 884 cfs | → |
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 421 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 38 cfs | → |
| Warm Slough Nr Central City | · | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Farwell 4-70.
Track Farwell 4-70 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Farwell 4-70
Where does the data for Farwell 4-70 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Farwell 4-70.