Frd No 8 dam
Frd No 8
Located in Butler County, Kansas, Frd No 8, also known as Rock Creek Watershed Dam 8, is a vital infrastructure designed by USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction in the Rock Creek watershed. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a storage capacity of 924.54 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 2.05 square miles. With a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge of 400 cubic feet per second, Frd No 8 plays a crucial role in managing floodwaters and protecting the surrounding community of Winfield.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Frd No 8 is classified as a low hazard potential dam with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its condition being currently unrated, the dam is regularly inspected, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. While the dam does not have outlet gates or associated structures, its primary purpose of flood risk reduction highlights its significant role in safeguarding the local area from potential water-related disasters.
As an essential element of water resource management in the region, Frd No 8 stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of various agencies and organizations involved in its design, construction, and regulation. With its strategic location in the Rock Creek watershed and its ability to mitigate flood risks, this dam serves as a critical asset for climate and water enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure development, natural resource conservation, and disaster resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut R At Winfield | 143 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 28 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 216 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Wichita | 175 cfs | → |
| Otter C At Climax | 8 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Arkansas City | 460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 8.
Track Frd No 8 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 8
Where does the data for Frd No 8 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.