Located in Quincy, Kansas, Frd No 17-4, also known as Upper Verdigris Watershed Dam 17-4, is a local government-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks in the area. Completed in 1967, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 36 feet and has a hydraulic height of 33 feet, with a length of 1030 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 1775.02 acre-feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the Greenwood County region.

The dam, under the jurisdiction of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and effectiveness. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk rating, the dam has not been inspected since June 1979. Despite its condition being unrated, the structure continues to play a crucial role in managing the local drainage area of 5.83 square miles and has a maximum discharge capacity of 1930 cubic feet per second, safeguarding the surrounding community from potential inundation events.

Although lacking in recent assessments and emergency preparedness procedures, Frd No 17-4 remains a vital infrastructure in the flood management system of the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of such structures and advocating for their maintenance and updates is crucial to ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in Kansas.