Brown Dam 589 dam
Brown Dam 589
Brown Dam 589, located in Buffalo County, Nebraska, is a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the TR-South Loup River. Completed in 1964, this earth dam stands at a height of 27.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 400.3 acre-feet, serving as a crucial line of defense against potential flooding events in the region. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Brown Dam 589 plays a key role in protecting the surrounding area from the impacts of extreme weather events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Brown Dam 589 is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness. Situated within Congressional District 03, Nebraska, this dam is overseen by Representative Adrian Smith and the Kansas City District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With a drainage area of 3.23 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 75 cubic feet per second, Brown Dam 589 is a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering marvel that is Brown Dam 589, with its stone core and soil foundation providing stability against the forces of nature. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this dam serves as a testament to human ingenuity in safeguarding communities against the unpredictable impacts of climate change. As a cornerstone of water management in Buffalo County, Nebraska, Brown Dam 589 stands as a symbol of resilience and proactive planning in the face of 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.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Brown Dam 589 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Loup R At St. Michael | 149 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 20 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 7 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 76 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 24 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Dam 589.
Track Brown Dam 589 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 Brown Dam 589
Where does the data for Brown Dam 589 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 Brown Dam 589.