Oldfather Dam dam
Oldfather Dam
Oldfather Dam, located in Valley, Nebraska, was completed in 1964 by the USDA NRCS and stands as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction along TR-Turtle Creek. The 31-foot high earth dam with a stone core spans 380 feet and has a storage capacity of 600 acre-feet, serving as a primary source of protection for the surrounding area. While state regulated and inspected by the NE DNR, the dam is considered to have low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, ensuring its reliability in mitigating potential dangers.
With a normal storage capacity of 296 acre-feet and a drainage area of 6.8 square miles, Oldfather Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. Its location, design, and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight the importance of collaboration between private owners and government agencies in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of such critical infrastructure. Despite its age, the dam continues to operate within acceptable standards, providing essential protection against potential flooding events and demonstrating the ongoing commitment to water resource management in Nebraska.
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme events, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Oldfather Dam become even more crucial. With its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam stands as a testament to successful water resource management practices, serving as a model for future infrastructure projects. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Oldfather Dam lies not only in its physical presence but in the collaborative efforts and strategic planning that have gone into its design and operation, ensuring the safety and well-being of the surrounding community for years to come.
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 Oldfather Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Loup River At Taylor | 353 cfs | → |
| North Loup River Nr St Paul Nebr | 522 cfs | → |
| Middle Loup R. At St. Paul | 552 cfs | → |
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 149 cfs | → |
| North Loup R At Brewster | 410 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Ewing | 67 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oldfather Dam.
Track Oldfather 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 Oldfather Dam
Where does the data for Oldfather 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 Oldfather Dam.