Niobrara S Park Dam dam
Niobrara S Park Dam
Niobrara S Park Dam, located in Knox, Nebraska, stands as a testament to effective state regulation and oversight in managing water resources. Completed in 2002, this earth dam on the Niobrara River serves a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, highlighting its crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential disasters. With a height of 55 feet and a length of 748 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 158 acre-feet, providing vital protection for the community.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Niobrara S Park Dam has been deemed to have low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition, as confirmed by the latest inspection in April 2020. The dam's significant role in flood risk reduction is further underscored by its ability to discharge up to 3346 cubic feet per second, ensuring efficient water flow and management during periods of high water levels. With state jurisdiction and regulatory authority firmly in place, the dam stands as a resilient structure in the face of climate challenges and changing water resource dynamics.
As a critical infrastructure in the region, Niobrara S Park Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With a focus on state-led initiatives and effective regulation, the dam exemplifies the importance of proactive measures in mitigating flood risks and ensuring the safety and security of local communities. Its role in maintaining normal storage levels and effectively managing water flow underscores its significance in the broader context of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts 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 Niobrara S Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bazile Creek Near Niobrara | 59 cfs | → |
| Ponca Creek At Verdel | 29 cfs | → |
| Verdigre C Nr Verdigre | 206 cfs | → |
| Niobrara River Nr. Verdel | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Bazile Creek At Center | 47 cfs | → |
| James R Near Scotland Sd | 1,080 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Niobrara S Park Dam.
Track Niobrara S Park 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 Niobrara S Park Dam
Where does the data for Niobrara S Park 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 Niobrara S Park Dam.