Atchison County State Lake dam
Atchison County State Lake
Atchison County State Lake in Kansas is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The lake, completed in 1956, serves as a vital water source for the surrounding area and has a normal storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet. Located in Atchison County, the lake is situated along Independence Creek and covers a surface area of approximately 1950 acres.
The dam at Atchison County State Lake is a buttress type structure with a height of 62 feet and a hydraulic height of 56 feet. The spillway width is 100 feet, and the hazard potential of the dam is rated as low. Despite not having a condition assessment, the dam has been inspected by state authorities in 1998 and is subject to regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it remains a crucial component of the local water infrastructure.
The Atchison County State Lake offers a serene and picturesque setting for water and climate enthusiasts to explore. With its low hazard potential and state-regulated status, the lake provides a safe and reliable water source for the community. The dam, designed by Wilson and Co, stands as a testament to engineering excellence and serves as a vital resource for water management in the region. Whether for recreational purposes or as a source of irrigation, Atchison County State Lake plays a crucial role in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in Atchison, Kansas.
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 Atchison County State Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger C Nr Potter | 199 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Joseph | 49,000 cfs | → |
| Delaware R Nr Muscotah | 263 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Agency | 3,110 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Rulo | 38,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Atchison County State Lake.
Track Atchison County State Lake 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 Atchison County State Lake
Where does the data for Atchison County State Lake 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Atchison County State Lake.