Pawnee Spgs Ranch Dam dam
Pawnee Spgs Ranch Dam
Nestled in McPherson County, Nebraska, the Pawnee Springs Ranch Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the region. Built in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and maintaining a small fish pond. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 167 feet, this structure provides critical storage capacity of 88 acre-feet, ensuring a stable water supply for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Pawnee Springs Ranch Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently rated as poor, highlighting the need for potential maintenance or rehabilitation efforts in the near future. Located along Squaw Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region and mitigating potential risks associated with flooding or water scarcity.
With a drainage area of 0.9 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet, the Pawnee Springs Ranch Dam is a key component of the local water infrastructure. While its hazard potential is low, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to uphold its functionality and protect the surrounding community. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is vital to recognize the significance of structures like the Pawnee Springs Ranch Dam in ensuring sustainable water management practices and safeguarding against potential environmental challenges.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pawnee Spgs Ranch Dam.
Boat launches
- East Sutherland I-80 Lake
- Hershey
- Sutherland Reservoir Sra - Inlet/West Ramp
- Sutherland Reservoir Sra - Hershey Beach
- East Hershey
- Buffalo Bill
Track Pawnee Spgs Ranch 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 Pawnee Spgs Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Pawnee Spgs Ranch 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 Pawnee Spgs Ranch Dam.