Buffalo-French Creek F-5 dam
Buffalo-French Creek F-5
Buffalo-French Creek F-5 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Dawson, Nebraska. Built in 1984, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a hydraulic height of 26 feet, with a total structural height of 32 feet. The dam spans 668 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 816 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 127 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its satisfactory condition.
Situated on TR-French Creek, Buffalo-French Creek F-5 plays a crucial role in mitigating the risks of flooding in the region. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving as a protective barrier for the surrounding areas. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1500 cubic feet per second, the dam covers a drainage area of 3 square miles and encompasses a surface area of 29 acres. While the dam has not undergone any significant modifications since its completion, it remains a key component of the local flood control infrastructure.
Managed by the local government, Buffalo-French Creek F-5 is an essential asset in safeguarding the community of Overton from potential flood events. With its satisfactory condition assessment and regular inspection schedule, the dam ensures the safety and resilience of the area against the threat of flooding. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the data on this dam provides valuable insights into the infrastructure that protects and sustains the delicate balance of water management in Nebraska.
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-French Creek F-5 -- 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 | 31 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Overton | 171 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Elm Creek | 9 cfs | → |
| Platte R Mid Ch | 139 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Kearney | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo-French Creek F-5.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lexington City Park
- Muny Park
- Pressey State Wildlife Area
- Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area - Cozad
- Bob And Nancies
- Lafayette Park
Fishing spots
Track Buffalo-French Creek F-5 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-French Creek F-5
Where does the data for Buffalo-French Creek F-5 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-French Creek F-5.