Bigger Stink Dam dam
Bigger Stink Dam
Bigger Stink Dam, located in Hayes, Nebraska, was completed in 1965 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management, as well as flood risk reduction for the TR-Stinking Water Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 13.6 feet and has a storage capacity of 79.7 acre-feet, with a drainage area of 3.22 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the condition assessment of Bigger Stink Dam is rated as poor, with the last inspection conducted in October 2014.
Owned privately, Bigger Stink Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Even though the dam's purpose is primarily for fire protection and water management, its condition raises concerns about potential safety risks and the need for maintenance or rehabilitation. With a designated emergency action plan (EAP) yet to be prepared or updated, there are uncertainties about the readiness of the dam in case of an emergency situation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bigger Stink Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure with implications for flood risk management and water conservation along the TR-Stinking Water Creek. The dam's location in a critical watershed area highlights the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety of downstream communities and ecosystems. As discussions around infrastructure resilience and climate change adaptation continue, Bigger Stink Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and opportunities in sustainable water resource management.
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 Bigger Stink Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frenchman Creek At Palisade | 14 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Stratton | 23 cfs | → |
| Frenchman Creek At Culbertson | 23 cfs | → |
| Driftwood Creek Near Mc Cook | 0 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Benkelman | 33 cfs | → |
| Republican River At Mccook Nebr | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bigger Stink Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Swanson Reservoir State Rec Area
- Enders Reservoir State Rec Area
- Center Dam
- Area "B"
- Private Cabins
- Cow Beach
Track Bigger Stink 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 Bigger Stink Dam
Where does the data for Bigger Stink 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 Bigger Stink Dam.