Schurman Dam dam
Schurman Dam
Schurman Dam, located in Franklin, Nebraska, on Lovely Creek, stands as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction in the region. Built in 1960, this earth dam with a height of 16.4 feet and a length of 270 feet provides a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 11.5 feet. Despite its importance, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and potential upgrades to ensure its long-term functionality.
Managed by a private entity, Schurman Dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, with state jurisdiction and oversight ensured in terms of permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Its hazard potential is classified as low, although its condition warrants attention to prevent any unforeseen failures that could impact the surrounding area. The dam's location in a rural setting adds to its significance in protecting nearby communities from potential flooding events.
While Schurman Dam serves primarily as a flood risk reduction measure, its role in water resource management and climate resilience cannot be understated. With a drainage area of 0.57 square miles and a surface area of 4.3 acres, the dam contributes to the overall hydrological system in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the preservation and maintenance of infrastructure like Schurman Dam are vital in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
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 Schurman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Republican River At Guide Rock | 2 cfs | → |
| Republican River Near Orleans | 40 cfs | → |
| Prairie Dog C Nr Woodruff | · | → |
| Sappa Creek Near Stamford | 3 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 21 cfs | → |
| White Rock C Nr Burr Oak | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schurman Dam.
Boat launches
- Harlan - Gremlin Cove
- Harlan - Cedar Point Ramp
- Hunter Cove - Low Water Ramp
- Patterson Harbor
- Methodist Cove
- Harlan - Alma Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- South Park Municipal Campground
- South Outlet - Harlan County Lake
- North Outlet - Harlan County Lake
- Gremlin Cove - Harlan County Lake
- Hunter Cove - Harlan County Lake
- Patterson Harbor Marina Campground
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Schurman 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 Schurman Dam
Where does the data for Schurman 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 Schurman Dam.