Richard Farwell Dam dam
Richard Farwell Dam
Richard Farwell Dam, located in Pawnee, Nebraska, serves as a crucial asset in flood risk reduction along the TR-NEGRO BRANCH river. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and spans 560 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 74.4 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.8 acres, the dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its importance, the dam is currently rated as having a poor condition assessment, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential upgrades. The hazard potential is classified as low, but regular inspections are conducted by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to ensure the dam's safety and functionality. With the primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Richard Farwell Dam underscores the critical role that infrastructure plays in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the status and significance of dams like Richard Farwell Dam is essential in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the increasing threats of extreme weather events. By staying informed about the condition and functionality of such structures, we can contribute to the sustainable management of water resources and adaptation to a changing climate in Nebraska and beyond.
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 Richard Farwell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 147 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 850 cfs | → |
| Big Nemaha River At Falls City | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 743 cfs | → |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard Farwell Dam.
Boat launches
- Iron Horse Trail Lake
- Kirkmans Cove Lake
- Pony Creek Boat Ramp
- Burchard Lake Wma
- Wolf - Wildcat
- Rockford Lake Sra
Track Richard Farwell 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 Richard Farwell Dam
Where does the data for Richard Farwell 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 Richard Farwell Dam.