Siffring Dam dam
Siffring Dam
Siffring Dam, located in Butler, Nebraska, is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS for irrigation purposes on TR-Deer Creek. Completed in 1956, this Earth type dam stands at 17 feet high with a length of 360 feet, providing a storage capacity of 69 acre-feet for water resource management. The dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2011 indicated poor maintenance. The inspection frequency is set at 10 years, with the last assessment conducted in 2011. With a history of modifications in 1983, Siffring Dam continues to serve its primary purpose of irrigation, supporting agricultural activities in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the historical significance and engineering details of this essential infrastructure within the Kansas City District.
As the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, its importance for irrigation and flood control cannot be understated. With a drainage area of 2.6 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1177 cubic feet per second, Siffring Dam serves as a vital component of the local water management system. Despite its age and condition assessment, the dam remains a key structure for supporting agriculture and environmental sustainability in the region, highlighting the intersection of infrastructure, climate, and water resource management for enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Siffring Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Cr 1.75mi W Of Polk Co Line | 47 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Duncan | 258 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Columbus | 163 cfs | → |
| Platte River At North Bend | 3,390 cfs | → |
| Prairie Creek Nr Silver Creek Nebr | 14 cfs | → |
| Silver Cr | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Siffring Dam.
Boat launches
- Homestead Lake Recreation
- Flatwater Landing
- Timber Point
- Oxbow Trail Recreation Area
- Lake North
- Red Cedar
Campgrounds
More reservoirs
Track Siffring 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 Siffring Dam
Where does the data for Siffring 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 Siffring Dam.