Frd No 37 dam
Frd No 37
Frd No 37, also known as Elk River WS Dam 37, is a vital structure located in Elk Falls, Kansas, designed by the USDA NRCS to serve the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and has a hydraulic height of 44 feet, with a length of 930 feet. It has a NID storage capacity of 669.74 acre-feet and a normal storage of 91 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 13.37 acres and draining an area of 2.17 square miles along the Elk River-TR.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Frd No 37 is state-regulated and inspected to ensure its structural integrity and functionality in flood control measures. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this dam is a crucial component in the region's water resource management. Although its condition assessment is not rated, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to sustainable water infrastructure for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Frd No 37 offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and public safety. As part of the flood risk reduction system in Elk Falls, this dam plays a key role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during periods of high water flow. Its controlled spillway, uncontrolled type, with a width of 40 feet, further enhances its capacity to manage excess water and minimize the risk of flooding downstream. With a history dating back to the early 1970s, Frd No 37 stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization with environmental conservation in the region.
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 Frd No 37 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter C At Climax | 7 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 18 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 27 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 52 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 34 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 37.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Moline City Park
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Fall River State Park
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
- 32
Track Frd No 37 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 Frd No 37
Where does the data for Frd No 37 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.