Blaschko Dam dam
Blaschko Dam
Blaschko Dam, located in Buffalo, Nebraska, is a private-owned structure that serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at a height of 13.7 meters and has a storage capacity of 74.7 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-Sweet Creek and is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite being categorized with a low hazard potential, Blaschko Dam has a poor condition assessment as of its last inspection in June 2019. The dam spans 250 meters in length and covers a surface area of 10.1 hectares, with a drainage area of 0.31 square kilometers. While it lacks certain features like a spillway or outlet gates, the dam remains essential for its designated purposes. With its proximity to Congressional District 03 in Nebraska, the dam plays a crucial role in local water resource management and protection.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the intricate design and functionality of Blaschko Dam, recognizing its contribution to fire protection, agriculture, and wildlife conservation in the region. The dam's presence on Sweet Creek underscores its significance in maintaining water levels and supporting various ecosystems. Although its condition may warrant attention and potential improvements, Blaschko Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for the benefit of both people and the environment.
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 Blaschko Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 154 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 21 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 10 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 79 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Grand Island | 38 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blaschko Dam.
Track Blaschko 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 Blaschko Dam
Where does the data for Blaschko 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 Blaschko Dam.