Ransom Dam 1287 dam
Ransom Dam 1287
Ransom Dam 1287, located in Polk, Nebraska, is a privately owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1965 for the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-Big Blue River. With a height of 21 feet and a length of 350 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and can handle a maximum discharge of 88 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
The dam's location in Surprise, Nebraska, within the Omaha District, underscores its importance in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. Its association with the Big Blue River and its drainage area of 0.4 square miles highlight its critical role in protecting communities and infrastructure from potential flooding events. With a history of regular inspections and maintenance, Ransom Dam 1287 continues to serve as a vital asset in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Nebraska.
As a key feature in the state's flood risk reduction infrastructure, Ransom Dam 1287 stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners, government agencies, and design experts in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events. Its capacity to store water, control discharge, and minimize flood hazards underscores its essential role in water resource management and climate adaptation strategies. In the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water-related challenges, the continued monitoring and maintenance of Ransom Dam 1287 are crucial for ensuring the safety and resilience of surrounding areas.
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 Ransom Dam 1287 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Cr | 10 cfs | → |
| Prairie Creek Nr Silver Creek Nebr | 9 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 38 cfs | → |
| Loup River Near Genoa | 412 cfs | → |
| Loup River Power Canal Near Genoa | 1,980 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ransom Dam 1287.
Track Ransom Dam 1287 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 Ransom Dam 1287
Where does the data for Ransom Dam 1287 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 Ransom Dam 1287.