• The Niobrara National Scenic river comes alive with color in the fall.

    Niobrara

    National Scenic River Nebraska

Hydrology

Surge flow

Surge Flow Waves

NPS photo

A unique feature of the Niobrara is a phenomenon known as surge flow. The river's combination of velocity, gradient, and sediment load cause the formation of sand ridges that result in short-term standing waves. Click for the bulletin on surge flow. You will need Acrobat Reader to open this file.



Surge flow is recorded at one other National Park Service site; Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, in Colorado.

Did You Know?

Scenic cliffs of sandstone rise above the Niobrara

Tall sandstone cliffs, a rocky streambed and rapids are unusual geologic aspects of this Great Plains River. Click "More" to visit the Niobrara Natonal Scenic River "Nature & Science" page. More...