Bengtson Dam dam
Bengtson Dam
Bengtson Dam, located in KIPP, Kansas, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1958. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 23.2 feet and serves the primary purpose of water resource management along the WEST BRANCH-GYPSUM CREEK-TR. With a storage capacity of 187.8 acre-feet and a low hazard potential, Bengtson Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and mitigating potential flooding in the area.
The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 100 feet, ensures the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. Despite being privately owned, Bengtson Dam is not regulated or inspected by state agencies, reflecting its low risk assessment. The surrounding area benefits from the dam's ability to store 35.3 acre-feet of water for normal use, highlighting its importance in maintaining water resources and supporting local ecosystems.
Although not rated for condition assessment, Bengtson Dam continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for water management in Saline County, Kansas. Its moderate risk assessment (3) signifies the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the local community and environment against potential water-related hazards.
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 Bengtson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Hill R Nr Mentor | 25 cfs | → |
| Gypsum C Nr Gypsum | 10 cfs | → |
| Mulberry C Nr Salina | 20 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R At Lindsborg | 23 cfs | → |
| Solomon R At Niles | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R At Enterprise | 3,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bengtson Dam.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
- Salina - Lakewood Lake
- Ottawa State Fishing Lake
- Buhler City Pond
- Harvey County West Lake
- Fort Riley
- Hutchinson - North Pond
More reservoirs
Track Bengtson 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 Bengtson Dam
Where does the data for Bengtson 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 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 Bengtson Dam.