Frd No 27 dam
Frd No 27
Frd No 27, also known as Elk River WS Joint District No 47, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Howard, Kansas. Completed in 1978 by USDA NRCS, this structure plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction along Paw Paw Creek. With a height of 35 feet and a length of 1570 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1035.56 acre-feet, providing essential protection for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Frd No 27 is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The dam's spillway, with a width of 110 feet, is categorized as uncontrolled, reflecting its low hazard potential. Despite being rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the structure is deemed to have moderate risk and is subject to risk management measures to maintain its functionality.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Frd No 27 serves as a prime example of effective flood risk reduction infrastructure in Kansas. With its strategic location and design, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the local community from potential disasters, highlighting the importance of proper management and maintenance of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 27 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter C At Climax | 6 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 17 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 28 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 32 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 38 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 27.
Campgrounds
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Fall River State Park
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
- Moline City Park
- Holliday Hill - Cross Timbers State Park
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 Frd No 27 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 27
Where does the data for Frd No 27 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.