Ruff Dam 2 dam
Ruff Dam 2
Located in Red Willow County, Nebraska, Ruff Dam 2 is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1960 primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR-Republican River. Standing at a height of 38.2 feet with a length of 400 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 244.8 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres. Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is not yet rated, Ruff Dam 2 has a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years to monitor its performance and maintenance needs. While the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, it meets state regulatory requirements and is equipped with necessary safety measures. The surrounding area relies on the dam for flood protection and water resource management, making it a crucial infrastructure for the community and the environment.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Ruff Dam 2 for its role in mitigating flood risks and safeguarding the TR-Republican River watershed. As a key structure in the region, the dam's design, construction, and ongoing management by the state reflect a commitment to sustainable water infrastructure that benefits both local residents and the natural ecosystem. With its strategic location and operational oversight, Ruff Dam 2 stands as a testament to responsible water resource development and climate resilience in Nebraska.
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 Ruff Dam 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 29 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
| Red Willow Creek Near Red Willow | 4 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 13 cfs | → |
| Beaver C At Cedar Bluffs | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ruff Dam 2.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Red Willow Reservoir State Rec Area
- Kiwanis Point Campground
- Willow View Campground
- Buffalo Roam Campground
- Karrer Park
- Swanson Reservoir State Rec Area
Track Ruff Dam 2 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 Ruff Dam 2
Where does the data for Ruff Dam 2 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 Ruff Dam 2.