Douglas County State Lake Dam dam
Douglas County State Lake Dam
Douglas County State Lake Dam, located in Sibleyville, Kansas, is a vital structure managed by the state for fish and wildlife conservation and recreational activities. Built in 1961 by Wilson and Co, this earth dam stands at a height of 58.1 feet and spans a length of 2280 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 6150 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to support a fish and wildlife pond, with a surface area of 180 acres and a drainage area of 3.84 square miles, fed by Coal Creek.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Douglas County State Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of 3 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, the dam poses a moderate risk (3) to the surrounding area. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 100 feet, and the dam does not have any outlet gates. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, providing essential habitat for wildlife and a recreational space for the community.
Situated in the Tulsa District of Kansas, the Douglas County State Lake Dam is a key component of the local ecosystem and an important water resource for the region. With its significant storage capacity and strategic location along Coal Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and supporting biodiversity in the area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam represents a fascinating intersection of engineering, conservation, and recreation, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices in ensuring the resilience and health of our ecosystems.
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 Douglas County State Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence | 28 cfs | → |
| Big Bull C Nr Edgerton | 15 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Ottawa | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Kill C At 95 St Nr Desoto | 34 cfs | → |
| L Bull C Nr Spring Hill | 7 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Desoto | 9,930 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Douglas County State Lake Dam.
Track Douglas County State Lake Dam 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 Douglas County State Lake Dam
Where does the data for Douglas County State Lake Dam 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 Douglas County State Lake Dam.