Frd No 44 dam
Frd No 44
Frd No 44, also known as Elk River WS Joint District No 47, is a local government-owned structure in Elk Falls, Kansas. This flood risk reduction dam, completed in 1977, stands 34.2 feet tall and spans 1265 feet along the Mound Branch Elk River. With a maximum storage capacity of 513 acre-feet and a normal storage of 54 acre-feet, this earth dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite being labeled as having a low hazard potential, Frd No 44 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The dam, with a spillway width of 40 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, has not been modified in recent years and is currently assessed as being in a not rated condition. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the structure is equipped with emergency action plans, although details on their preparation and adherence to guidelines are not specified in the data.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Frd No 44 serves as a fascinating example of infrastructure designed for flood risk reduction in Kansas. Its dimensions, storage capacity, and regulatory framework highlight the importance of such structures in managing water flow and protecting communities from potential disasters. As efforts to mitigate climate change continue, understanding the role of dams like Frd No 44 becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding our water resources and adapting to changing environmental 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 44 -- 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 | 33 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 31 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 45 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 44.
Boat launches
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
Track Frd No 44 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 44
Where does the data for Frd No 44 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.