Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike dam
Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike
The Glen Elder - Downs Protective Dike is a crucial structure located in Osborne, Kansas, designed and owned by the Bureau of Reclamation to mitigate flood risks in the area. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at 85 feet high with a hydraulic height of 41 feet and a length of 14,650 feet. It has a storage capacity of 1,128,740 acre-feet, serving as a vital tool in managing water resources in the region.
With a high hazard potential, this protective dike plays a significant role in flood risk reduction for the surrounding community. Although its condition assessment is not currently available, the Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for its inspections, operations, and regulatory oversight. The structure's primary purpose of flood risk reduction aligns with its design and construction, making it a key asset for climate and water resource enthusiasts interested in understanding the management of water infrastructure in Kansas.
As a federally owned and funded project, the Glen Elder - Downs Protective Dike is a testament to the collaborative efforts between government agencies to safeguard communities from potential disasters. Its strategic location in S27, T6S, R11W, further emphasizes its importance in protecting the residents of Downs and the wider Osborne County. This structure stands as a symbol of resilience and proactive measures in the face of natural hazards, making it an intriguing subject for those passionate about water resource management and climate adaptation strategies.
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 Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Solomon R At Portis | 17 cfs | → |
| Sf Solomon R At Osborne | 5 cfs | → |
| Solomon R Nr Glen Elder | 57 cfs | → |
| Solomon R At Beloit | 52 cfs | → |
| Sf Solomon R At Woodston | 0 cfs | → |
| White Rock C Nr Burr Oak | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike.
Track Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike 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 Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike
Where does the data for Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike 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 High 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Glen Elder -Downs Protective Dike.