Harlan County Dam dam
Harlan County Dam
Harlan County Dam, also known as Harlan County Lake, is a gravity-type dam located in Naponee, Nebraska on the Republican River. Completed in 1952 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction while also supporting fish and wildlife habitats, irrigation, recreation, and water supply. With a hydraulic height of 105 feet and a structural height of 107 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 825,700 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 13,600 acres.
The dam's spillway, with a controlled design and width of 856 feet, helps manage water levels during high flow events. Despite being classified with a high hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected, and emergency action plans are in place to address any safety concerns. The USACE implements risk management measures to monitor the dam's condition, prioritize maintenance activities, and collaborate with local emergency managers to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies. As a vital infrastructure for flood protection in the region, Harlan County Dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the risks associated with severe weather events and water management challenges.
Overall, Harlan County Dam stands as a critical asset in the effort to mitigate flood risks and ensure water resource sustainability in the area. With ongoing monitoring and proactive risk management strategies in place, the dam continues to be a key component in the region's resilience against potential threats, highlighting the importance of effective dam infrastructure management in maintaining the safety and well-being of surrounding communities and environments.
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 Harlan County Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Dog C Nr Woodruff | · | → |
| Republican River Near Orleans | 43 cfs | → |
| Sappa Creek Near Stamford | 4 cfs | → |
| Nf Solomon R At Glade | 5 cfs | → |
| Bow C Nr Stockton | 5 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Beaver City | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harlan County Dam.
Boat launches
- Hunter Cove - Low Water Ramp
- Harlan - Cedar Point Ramp
- Harlan - Gremlin Cove
- Patterson Harbor
- Methodist Cove
- Harlan - Alma Boat Ramp
Track Harlan County 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 Harlan County Dam
Where does the data for Harlan County 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 High 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 Harlan County Dam.