Polk Daniels Lake dam
Polk Daniels Lake
Polk Daniels Lake, also known as Howard City Dam, is a picturesque water resource located in Elk County, Kansas. Built in 1935, this earth dam serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water supply, making it a valuable asset to the local community. With a height of 46 feet and a length of 850 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 920 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 60.2 acres.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Polk Daniels Lake is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam is situated on Game Creek and offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with inspections conducted every five years to monitor its integrity.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Polk Daniels Lake serves as a prime example of how man-made structures can positively impact the environment while providing essential services to local communities. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, this dam is not only a vital water supply source but also a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Whether enjoying a peaceful day by the water or marveling at the engineering marvel of the dam itself, visitors to Polk Daniels Lake can appreciate the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty.
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 Polk Daniels Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 17 cfs | → |
| Otter C At Climax | 6 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 28 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 38 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 31 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R At Independence | 162 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Polk Daniels Lake.
Campgrounds
- Moline City Park
- Quivira Scout Ranch
- Fall River State Park
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
Fishing spots
- Butler State Lake
- El Dorado East Park Pond
- Augusta City Lake
- Rose Hill - School St. Pond
- Augusta - Santa Fe Lake
- Mulvane-Cedar Brook Pond
More reservoirs
Track Polk Daniels 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 Polk Daniels Lake
Where does the data for Polk Daniels 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 Significant 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.