Larry Novak Dam dam
Larry Novak Dam
Larry Novak Dam, located in Butler County, Nebraska, along TR-Bone Creek, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1996, the dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, with a height of 21 feet and a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet. The dam's earth construction, supported by stone core and soil foundations, has a structural height of 24 feet and a length of 686 feet.
This low-hazard dam, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of May 2016, plays a crucial role in managing flood risk in the area. It has a normal storage capacity of 35 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 212 cubic feet per second. The dam is inspected every five years, with the last assessment conducted in May 2016, ensuring its operational integrity and safety. Although no spillway information is provided, the dam's location in Rogers, Nebraska, underscores its significance in protecting the surrounding community from potential flooding events.
With its strategic design and efficient flood risk reduction capabilities, Larry Novak Dam stands as a vital asset in safeguarding Butler County against the impacts of extreme weather events. Managed by private ownership and supported by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts to protect water resources and enhance climate resilience in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the engineering and regulatory aspects of Larry Novak Dam showcase the importance of sustainable infrastructure in mitigating the risks of flooding and ensuring the safety of local communities.
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 Larry Novak Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 18 cfs | → |
| Platte River At North Bend | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Columbus | 16 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 54 cfs | → |
| Wahoo Creek At Ithaca | 44 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Ceresco | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Larry Novak Dam.
Track Larry Novak 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 Larry Novak Dam
Where does the data for Larry Novak 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 Larry Novak Dam.