Frd No 38 dam
Frd No 38
Frd No 38, also known as the Elk River WS Joint District No 47, is a crucial water resource structure located in Elk Falls, Kansas. Constructed in 1977 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam plays a significant role in flood risk reduction for the South Branch-Elk River. With a height of 58 feet and a length of 2200 feet, Frd No 38 has a storage capacity of 2426.9 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 28.63 acres, serving multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation in addition to flood risk reduction.
Managed by the local government, Frd No 38 is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 340 feet, and it is classified as having a significant hazard potential. Despite being rated as not assessed in terms of condition, Frd No 38 is considered to have a moderate risk level (3) according to the available data. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, and further risk management measures and assessments are not specified.
Overall, Frd No 38 stands as a crucial infrastructure in Elk Falls, Kansas, contributing to flood risk reduction and providing various benefits to the community. With its strategic location and design, this earth dam ensures the protection of surrounding areas from potential flooding events while also offering opportunities for recreational activities and water resource management. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding the significance and operational aspects of structures like Frd No 38 is essential in promoting sustainable water management practices and ensuring the safety and resilience of our communities 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 38 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 18 cfs | → |
| Otter C At Climax | 7 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 52 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 27 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 132 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 38.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Moline City Park
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Fall River State Park
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
- Quivira Scout Ranch
Track Frd No 38 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 38
Where does the data for Frd No 38 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.