Warford Dam dam
Warford Dam
Warford Dam, located in Gage County, Nebraska, serves as a vital structure along the TR-Big Blue River, providing recreational opportunities in the region. Built in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet with a hydraulic height of 34 feet and a structural height of 39 feet. With a storage capacity of 288 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the normal storage level of 163 acre-feet.
Despite its importance, Warford Dam is currently rated as having poor condition assessment, indicating a need for maintenance and repair. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, but regular inspections are conducted to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to oversee its operation and maintenance.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Warford Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and management. Its location on the TR-Big Blue River, its design features, and its impact on the surrounding environment make it a valuable site for studying the intersection of water resources, recreation, and infrastructure development. As efforts continue to assess and address its current condition, Warford Dam remains a key element in the region's water management infrastructure, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance in safeguarding our water resources.
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 Warford Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 122 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 126 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 62 cfs | → |
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 176 cfs | → |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 47 cfs | → |
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Warford Dam.
Boat launches
- Big Indian Recreation Area
- Wolf - Wildcat
- Rockford Lake Sra
- Diamond Lake Wma
- Arrowhead Wma
- Burchard Lake Wma
Campgrounds
- Big Indian Nrd Rec Area
- Feits Memorial Park
- Marysville City Park
- Rockford Lake State Rec Area
- Chautauqua Municipal Park - Beatrice
- Diller City Park
Fishing spots
Track Warford 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 Warford Dam
Where does the data for Warford 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 Warford Dam.