Buffalo Creek F-1 dam
Buffalo Creek F-1
Buffalo Creek F-1 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Dawson County, Nebraska. Built in 1978 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16 feet. With a storage capacity of 168 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Situated on TR-French Creek, it covers a drainage area of 1.1 square miles and has a maximum discharge of 67 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Buffalo Creek F-1 is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in November 2017, with a designated inspection frequency of every 5 years. While no emergency action plan has been prepared for this structure, it continues to meet regulatory standards set by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. With its primary purpose being flood risk reduction, Buffalo Creek F-1 serves as a crucial component of the local water resource management system in Nebraska.
Managed by local government authorities, Buffalo Creek F-1 is a key piece of infrastructure in the region, overseen by the Nebraska DNR. Located in Overton, this dam not only provides flood protection but also contributes to the overall water resource management in the area. With its earth construction and stone core, this structure stands as a testament to effective engineering and design, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community it serves.
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 Buffalo Creek F-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Nr Overton | 17 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek Nr Overton Nebr | 29 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 222 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 8 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 193 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 138 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Creek F-1.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lexington City Park
- Muny Park
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Bob And Nancies
- Pressey State Wildlife Area
- Lafayette Park
Fishing spots
Track Buffalo Creek F-1 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 Buffalo Creek F-1
Where does the data for Buffalo Creek F-1 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 Buffalo Creek F-1.