John Snyder Dam dam
John Snyder Dam
John Snyder Dam, located in Fairbury, Nebraska, was completed in 1999 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction along the TR-Brawner Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet with a hydraulic height of 21 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 188 acre-feet and normal storage of 15 acre-feet. With a length of 467 feet and a drainage area of 1.2 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by a private entity, John Snyder Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of April 2019, the dam is considered to be in good standing for its intended purpose. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam features stone core types and soil foundations, contributing to its stability and resilience against flood events.
Overall, John Snyder Dam stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction infrastructure in Nebraska, providing a reliable barrier against potential inundation of the surrounding area. With its strategic location and design by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in safeguarding communities against natural disasters.
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 John Snyder Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Blue River Near Fairbury | 213 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 298 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 105 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Washington | 43 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 1,180 cfs | → |
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 479 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Snyder Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Crystal Springs Lake
- Rock Creek Station State Rec Area
- Leisure Lake Wma
- Diller City Park
- Buckley Creek
- Riverside Park - Beatrice
Fishing spots
Track John Snyder 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 John Snyder Dam
Where does the data for John Snyder 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 John Snyder Dam.