Dd No 143 dam
Dd No 143
Dd No 143, also known as Wet Walnut Watershed Dam No 143, is a local government-owned structure located in Ness, Kansas. Built in 1975 by the USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the South Fork Walnut Creek-TR. With a height of 38 feet and a hydraulic height of 29 feet, Dd No 143 has a normal storage capacity of 32.6 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 458.4 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 6.46 acres.
Managed by the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, Dd No 143 is state-regulated and inspected for compliance. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is rated as not assessed for its condition. With a moderate risk level assigned, the structure does not have an Emergency Action Plan in place and the risk management measures are not specified. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 100 feet, ensures proper water discharge during high flow events, contributing to the overall safety and functionality of the dam for the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed information available for Dd No 143, providing insights into its design, construction, and regulatory oversight. As part of the flood risk reduction infrastructure in Ness, Kansas, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the local community from potential flooding events. With its historic completion in 1975 and ongoing state-regulated inspections, Dd No 143 stands as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management in mitigating natural hazards and ensuring public safety.
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 Dd No 143 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Hill R Nr Arnold | 0 cfs | → |
| Pawnee R Nr Burdett | · | → |
| Walnut C At Nekoma | 1 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R At Elkader | · | → |
| Pawnee R At Rozel | · | → |
| Saline R Nr Wakeeney | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dd No 143.
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Dd No 143 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 Dd No 143
Where does the data for Dd No 143 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 Dd No 143.