Fargo Dam dam
Fargo Dam
Fargo Dam, located in Otoe, Nebraska, is a crucial infrastructure designed by the USDA NRCS in 1956 for flood risk reduction along TR-Wolf Creek. This private dam stands at 31 feet high with a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 34 feet, serving its primary purpose effectively with a core made of stone and a foundation supported by soil. The dam's storage capacity of 184 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 444 cfs are vital for managing water levels in the area.
Despite its importance, Fargo Dam is currently in poor condition and has a low hazard potential, indicating a need for maintenance and improvements. The dam's last inspection in March 2020 highlighted this concern, prompting a reassessment of its structural integrity and safety measures. With the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources overseeing state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, efforts are underway to address the dam's condition to ensure continued flood risk reduction and water resource management in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor Fargo Dam's status, attention is drawn to the ongoing challenges faced by this key infrastructure. With the potential for improvements in its condition assessment and emergency preparedness, stakeholders are working towards enhancing the dam's resilience and effectiveness in safeguarding the local community from flood risks. The collaboration between private ownership, state regulation, and federal design input underscores the importance of maintaining and upgrading Fargo Dam for sustainable water management in Nebraska.
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 Fargo Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 48 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 40,700 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Greenwood | 379 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 6,590 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Nr. Lincoln | 2 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Roca | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fargo Dam.
Track Fargo Dam 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 Fargo Dam
Where does the data for Fargo Dam 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 Fargo Dam.