Pokorny Dam dam
Pokorny Dam
Located in Howells, Nebraska, the Pokorny Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the local government and the USDA NRCS in the realm of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1992, this earth-type dam boasts a height of 28.2 feet and a length of 617 feet, serving the primary purpose of mitigating flooding along the TR-Maple Creek. With a storage capacity of 129.7 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.25 square miles, Pokorny Dam plays a vital role in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential hazards.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Pokorny Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Classified with a high hazard potential but deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2020, the dam remains a critical infrastructure for flood control in Colfax County. Despite its practical function, Pokorny Dam also offers a picturesque landscape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate, with its surface area of 0.73 acres blending seamlessly into the rural Nebraska countryside.
For those interested in the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and engineering marvels, Pokorny Dam serves as a compelling case study in effective dam design and operation. With its strategic location, innovative construction techniques, and ongoing regulatory oversight, this local government-owned structure exemplifies the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. As climate change continues to pose challenges for water management practices, the role of dams like Pokorny Dam in enhancing resilience and protecting lives and property cannot be overstated.
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 Pokorny Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhorn River At West Point | 658 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn River At Pilger | 564 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Columbus | 327 cfs | → |
| Platte River At North Bend | 1,790 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek Near Uehling | 238 cfs | → |
| Maple Creek Near Nickerson | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pokorny Dam.
Boat launches
Track Pokorny 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 Pokorny Dam
Where does the data for Pokorny 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 Pokorny Dam.