Agate Dam dam
Agate Dam
Agate Dam, located in Sioux County, Nebraska, is a federal-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1936, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 696 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 206 acre-feet. The dam's primary source agency is the state of Nebraska, and it is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.
Despite its low hazard potential, Agate Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition as of August 2019. The dam's inspection frequency is every 5 years, with the last inspection conducted in August 2019. The dam lacks an emergency action plan and updated emergency contacts, raising concerns about its readiness in the event of a disaster. While the risk assessment and management measures for the dam are currently unknown, its location on TR-Long Branch Creek and its purpose for fire protection highlight its importance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Agate Dam will find it to be a crucial asset for fire protection and water storage in Sioux County, Nebraska. With a storage capacity of 206 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 5800 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the area. However, its poor condition assessment and lack of updated emergency preparedness raise concerns about its long-term sustainability and resilience to climate-related challenges. As efforts to address these issues continue, Agate Dam remains a focal point for enhancing water resource management and climate adaptation strategies 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 Agate Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd | · | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Hot Springs Sd | 34 cfs | → |
| White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Agate Dam.
Boat launches
- Whitney Lake
- County Highway 6d Fall River County
- Sheps Canyon Road Fall River County
- Fall River County
- South Boat Ramp Road Fall River County
Campgrounds
- Toadstool
- Toadstool Geological Park And Campground
- Soldier Creek
- Crawford City Park
- Fort Robinson State Park
- Roberts Tract Campground
Paddle runs
Track Agate 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 Agate Dam
Where does the data for Agate 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 Agate Dam.