Frd No 12 dam
Frd No 12
Frd No 12, also known as Big Caney Watershed Dam 12, is a vital water resource structure located in Cowley, Kansas. Constructed in 1967 by A&E and USDA SCS, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Rock Creek. With a height of 72 feet and a storage capacity of over 10,000 acre-feet, Frd No 12 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flood events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Frd No 12 has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition and has not been rated for its structural integrity. With a spillway width of 200 feet and uncontrolled spillway type, Frd No 12 is equipped to handle excess water flow during high precipitation events. Its location in Hewins, Kansas, makes it a key component of the region's water resource infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Frd No 12 serves as a fascinating example of how engineering and design can mitigate the impact of natural disasters. As part of the larger network of dams and reservoirs in the area, this structure plays a critical role in managing water flow and protecting downstream communities. With its strategic placement along Rock Creek and its robust construction, Frd No 12 stands as a testament to the importance of proactive flood risk reduction measures in safeguarding water resources and enhancing climate resilience.
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 12 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 31 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Arkansas City | 437 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 129 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 17 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Ralston | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Caney River Above Coon Creek At Bartlesville | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 12.
Boat launches
- East Madison Avenue Arkansas City
- North Pond Trail Arkansas City
- South Lake Road Winfield
- Flood Dike Road Winfield
Campgrounds
- Washunga Bay - Kaw Lake
- Sarge Creek - Kaw Lake
- Bear Creek Cove - Kaw Lake
- Sedan City Park
- Bing
- Walnut River City Park
Track Frd No 12 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 12
Where does the data for Frd No 12 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 Frd No 12.