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38-529: The river rises in the High Plains of Wyoming, in southern Niobrara County . The Niobrara flows east as an intermittent stream past Lusk and southeast into northwestern Nebraska . It then flows southeast across the Pine Ridge country of Sioux County , then east through Agate Fossil Beds National Monument , past Marsland , and through Box Butte Reservoir . The stream flows east across northern Nebraska, near

76-608: A combined capacity of 3,000 kW. In a 2015 agreement with Nebraska local and state government entities, NPPD agreed to decommission the dam in 2017. The dam was breached by flooding caused by a March 2019 storm . In the Cheyenne language , the river is Hisse Yovi Yoe , meaning "surprise river"; in Pawnee , Kíckatariʾ ; and in Lakota , Wakpá Tȟáŋka , meaning "great river". High Plains (United States) The High Plains are

114-496: A household in the city was $ 47,639, and the median income for a family was $ 52,632. Males had a median income of $ 38,188 versus $ 24,636 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 22,715. About 1.6% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over. Valentine is in Valentine Community Schools . Valentine City Schools

152-576: A pair of bridges span the Niobrara River. The modern bridge carries traffic north and south along U.S. Route 83 . Just to the west, an arched cantilever truss bridge named the Bryan Bridge is also open to through traffic. Designed by Josef Sorkin and built in 1932, the Bryan Bridge is made of steel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . A large red neon heart (a star during

190-722: A subregion of the Great Plains , mainly in the Western United States , but also partly in the Midwest states of Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota, generally encompassing the western part of the Great Plains before the region reaches the Rocky Mountains . The High Plains are located in eastern Montana , southeastern Wyoming , southwestern South Dakota , western Nebraska , eastern Colorado , western Kansas , eastern New Mexico ,

228-470: A weather event that occurred in Browning, Montana , from January 23–24, 1916, when the temperature fell from 44 to −56 °F (7 to −49 °C). This is the world record for the greatest temperature change in 24 hours. The region is known for the steady, and sometimes intense, winds that prevail from the west. The winds add a considerable wind chill factor in the winter. The development of wind farms in

266-465: Is 81 °F (27.2 °C) on July 24, 1940, and July 25, 1899. Precipitation is low, with an annual average of around 20.90 inches (530.9 mm), but not quite low enough for the climate to be classified as semi-arid ; it has ranged from 10.14 inches (257.6 mm) in 1894 to 32.68 inches (830.1 mm) in 1977. The very dry winters—as dry as the driest desert areas of the Southwest —mean snowfall

304-411: Is September 25 thru May 11, allowing a growing season of 136 days. Extreme temperatures officially range from −39 °F (−39.4 °C) on December 22, 1989, to 114 °F (45.6 °C) on July 2, 1990, with temperatures reaching 110 °F (43.3 °C) as recently as July 21, 2012 ; the record low daily maximum is −17 °F (−27.2 °C) on January 12, 1916, while the record high daily minimum

342-516: Is about 11,580 square miles (30,000 km). Although the annual runoff is low relative to the size of its drainage basin, the Niobrara has a stronger and more consistent flow than many other streams in the region. An estimated 70 percent of the river's water results from seepage from the Ogallala Aquifer that underlies the area, with the remaining 30 percent from precipitation. The river

380-458: Is highest in the spring and early summer (February through April) and lowest in early fall (August and September). By late fall, river levels begin to rise as demands for river water for irrigation subside. The Niobrara's average discharge between 1958 and 2013, measured at the U.S. Geological Survey stream gage at Verdel, Nebraska , 14.8 miles (23.8 km) above the mouth, is 1,757 cubic feet per second (49.8 m/s). The highest flow recorded

418-464: Is modest, averaging 34.2 inches (87 cm) per season (peaking in February and March), and ranging from 12.7 inches (32 cm) in 1984–85 to 88.5 inches (220 cm) in 1919–20; the average window for measurable (≥0.1 inches (0.25 cm)) snowfall is October 27 thru April 11, with May snow being rare. As of the census of 2010, there were 2,737 people, 1,259 households, and 719 families living in

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456-658: Is part of the Ainsworth Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program , also operated by the USBR. Cornell Dam, built in 1915 at the confluence of Minnechaduza Creek near Valentine, generated power until 1985. The following year the dam was acquired by the U.S. Department of the Interior . Although officially decommissioned, the dam remains standing. The feasibility of removing the defunct dam has been studied, although

494-530: Is part of the Mirage Flats Project, which irrigates 11,670 acres (4,720 ha) on the north side of the Niobrara River. Dunlap Diversion Dam, 8 miles (13 km) below Box Butte, diverts water through a 13-mile (21 km) canal to the farmland. The Snake River tributary is impounded by the Merritt Dam and irrigates about 34,540 acres (13,980 ha) in the area of Valentine, Nebraska . The project

532-560: Is usually used for a subregion instead of the whole of the Great Plains. The High Plains has a "cold semi-arid" climate — Köppen BSk —receiving between 10–20 in (250–510 mm) of precipitation annually. Due to low moisture and high elevation, the High Plains commonly experience wide ranges and extremes in temperature. The temperature range from day to night is usually 30 °F (~16.5 °C), and 24-hour temperature shifts of 100 °F (~55.5 °C) are possible, as evidenced by

570-641: The Dakota Territory . A 76-mile (122 km) stretch of the Niobrara River in central Nebraska, from the town of Valentine east to Nebraska State Highway 137, has been designated as the Niobrara National Scenic River since 1991. It is managed by the Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Park Service) to protect the water quality, geologic, paleontologic, fish and wildlife, scenic and recreation values. Most of

608-546: The Lakota language , Valentine is known as Oínažiŋ or Mnináȟaȟa Otȟúŋwahe , meaning "station stopping place" or "water and waterfall city". According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 2.25 square miles (5.83 km ), of which 2.22 square miles (5.75 km ) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km ) is water. Valentine is immediately north of the Niobrara River , on

646-585: The Oklahoma Panhandle , and the Texas Panhandle . The southern region of the Western High Plains ecology region contains the geological formation known as Llano Estacado which can be seen from a short distance or on satellite maps. From east to west, the High Plains rise in elevation from around 1,500 to 6,000 ft (460 to 1,830 m). The term "Great Plains", for the region west of about

684-639: The 96th or 98th meridian and east of the Rocky Mountains, was not generally used before the early 20th century. Nevin Fenneman's 1916 study, Physiographic Subdivision of the United States , brought the term Great Plains into more widespread usage. Prior to 1916, the region was almost invariably called the High Plains, in contrast to the lower Prairie Plains of the Midwestern states. Today, the term "High Plains"

722-873: The Christmas season) is on the pine-covered Minnechaduza Creek canyon wall at the north end of Main Street. With a humid continental climate ( Köppen Dwa ), Valentine experiences extremes of heat and cold annually; it is part of USDA Hardiness zone 4b. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 24.5 °F (−4.2 °C) in January to 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) in July. In an average year, seven afternoons reach 100 °F (37.8 °C) or higher, 41.3 days reach 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher, 41.2 afternoons do not climb above freezing, and 17.9 mornings reach 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or lower. The average window for freezing temperatures

760-601: The High Plains have significant petroleum and natural gas deposits. The combination of oil, natural gas, and wind energy, along with plentiful underground water, has allowed some areas (such as West Texas ) to sustain a range of economic activity, including occasional industry. For example, the ASARCO refinery in Amarillo, Texas has been in operation since 1924 due to the plentiful and inexpensive natural gas and water that are needed in metal ore refining. The High Plains has one of

798-455: The High Plains is one of the newest areas of economic development. The High Plains are anomalously high in elevation. An explanation has recently been proposed to explain this high elevation. As the Farallon plate was subducted into the mantle beneath the region, water trapped in hydrous minerals in the descending slab was forced up into the lower crust above. Within the crust, this water caused

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836-495: The accumulation of sediment behind the dam, which may include high levels of chemicals from pesticides, may be harmful to the river environment if released. Spencer Dam , about 50 miles (80 km) from the mouth of the Niobrara, was the last operational hydroelectric plant on the river. The dam was built in 1927 and was operated by the Nebraska Public Power District . It includes two Westinghouse generators, with

874-428: The age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.9% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age in

912-560: The city was 46 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,820 people, 1,209 households, and 733 families living in the city. The population density was 1,401.1 inhabitants per square mile (541.0/km ). There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 682.2 per square mile (263.4/km ). The racial makeup of

950-542: The city was 92.20% White , 0.04% African American , 5.78% Native American , 0.57% Asian , 0.21% from other races , and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population. There were 1,209 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who

988-477: The city. The population density was 1,232.9 inhabitants per square mile (476.0/km ). There were 1,430 housing units at an average density of 644.1 per square mile (248.7/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 86.3% White , 0.1% African American , 9.1% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.7% from other races , and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 1,259 households, of which 24.5% had children under

1026-426: The forms of cattle ranching and the growing of wheat , corn , and sunflower is the primary economic activity in the region. The region's aridity necessitates either dryland farming methods or irrigation; much water for irrigation is drawn from the underlying Ogallala Aquifer , which makes it possible to grow water-intensive crops such as corn, which the region's aridity would otherwise not support. Some areas of

1064-404: The hydration of dense garnet and other phases into lower density amphibole and mica minerals. The resulting increase in crustal volume raised the elevation by about one mile. Typical plant communities of the region are shortgrass prairie , prickly pear cacti and scrub . Sagebrush steppe is also present, particularly in high and dry areas closer to the Rocky Mountains. Agriculture in

1102-664: The lands within the boundary of the National Scenic River are, and will remain, in private ownership. Management is based upon working with private, county, state and federal landowners and stakeholders to coordinate protection of the river while ensuring a quality experience for river visitors. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 9 miles of river that flow through the Fort Niobrara Refuge primarily for wilderness and wildlife habitat, but allows recreation downstream from Cornell Dam. The National Park Service manages

1140-424: The lowest population densities of any region in the continental United States; Wyoming , for example, has the second lowest population density in the country after Alaska . In contrast to the stagnant population growth in the northern and western High Plains, cities in west Texas have shown sustained growth; Amarillo and Lubbock both have populations above 200,000 and have continued to grow. Smaller towns, on

1178-620: The northern edge of the Sandhills and past Valentine . It is joined by the Snake River about 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Valentine. In north-central Nebraska it is joined by the Keya Paha River approximately 6 miles (10 km) west of Butte . The river joins the Missouri northwest of Niobrara in northern Knox County , just upstream of Lewis and Clark Lake . Its total drainage basin

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1216-626: The northern edge of the Sandhills physiographic region. Merritt Reservoir , created by a dam on the Snake River , is about 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Valentine. Snake River Falls , Nebraska's largest waterfall, is on the Snake River between the reservoir (a few miles downstream) and Valentine. Smith Falls, Nebraska's tallest waterfall, is on a small stream tributary to the Niobrara River about 15 miles (24 km) east of Valentine in Smith Falls State Park . Just south of Valentine,

1254-439: The other hand, often struggle to sustain their population . Valentine, Nebraska Valentine is a city and the county seat of Cherry County, Nebraska , United States. The population was 2,737 at the 2010 census . Valentine was founded in 1882. The Valentine post office was established on December 4, 1882. The Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was extended to that point and train service began on April 1, 1883. It

1292-453: The remaining 67 miles, acting as a facilitator for resource protection by landowners and river users, providing law enforcement and visitor education services, and coordinating resource management activities. The Box Butte Dam, completed in 1946 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), is the only major dam on the Niobrara River proper. Located in Dawes County in western Nebraska, the dam

1330-567: Was 39,100 cubic feet per second (1,110 m/s) on March 27, 1960. The lowest daily mean was 102 cubic feet per second (2.9 m/s) on November 13, 1960. The lower Niobrara valley is the traditional home of the Ponca tribe of Native Americans. Between 1861 and 1882, the stretch of the Niobrara River from the mouth of the Keya Paha to its confluence with the Missouri marked the boundary between Nebraska and

1368-449: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.95. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males. The median income for

1406-445: Was in the central zone) split the difference and turned back its clock by half an hour. Valentine participates in an annual re-mailing program where thousands of pieces of mail flow into the local United States Post Office so that they can be re-mailed with a special Valentine's Day postmark and verse. In 2007, National Geographic Adventure magazine included Valentine in its list of the best 100 adventure towns and cities. In

1444-411: Was named for Edward K. Valentine , a Nebraska representative. As late as 1967, Valentine was split between two time zones . According to a news report, "The mountain and central time zones meet at the center of Main Street, so an hour separates the two curb lines." According to the report, when clocks were required to be set back one hour for daylight saving time , Valentine's post office (which

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