Farnam Dam
Farnam Dam is an earth dam located in Dawson County, Nebraska, built in 1937. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Farnam Dam
The primary purpose of Farnam Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Ryan & Kari Schurr (private). It impounds the Tr-plum Creek near Farnam.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 688 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 29 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 252 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 08/02/2022.
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Location
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Dawson |
| Nearest City | Farnam |
| River/Stream | Tr-plum Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.70950, -100.21943 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 688 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 252 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 252 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 148 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 29 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 955 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Ryan & Kari Schurr |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/02/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NE01303 |
| Federal ID | NE01303 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |