Frd No 5 dam
Frd No 5
Frd No 5, also known as Upper Walnut WS Joint District No 33, is a local government-owned earth dam located in El Dorado, Kansas. Built in 1979 by USDA NRCS, this structure serves as a flood risk reduction measure along the West Branch Walnut River. With a height of 28 feet and a storage capacity of 580.08 acre-feet, Frd No 5 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Frd No 5 is considered to have a moderate risk profile. The dam features uncontrolled spillways and does not have any outlet gates. It is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, ensuring that it meets all state standards and guidelines for dam safety. Additionally, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, reflecting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term effectiveness in flood risk reduction.
With its strategic location and design, Frd No 5 is a key component in the water resource management infrastructure of Butler County, Kansas. As climate change continues to impact water systems and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, the importance of well-maintained dams like Frd No 5 in mitigating flood risks and protecting communities becomes increasingly apparent. Through continued oversight and adherence to safety protocols, Frd No 5 exemplifies the essential role that dams play in safeguarding water resources and enhancing resilience to climate-related challenges.
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 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 43 cfs | → |
| Cedar C Nr Cedar Point | 33 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood R Nr Florence | 123 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Valley Center | 70 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 166 cfs | → |
| Floodway At L Arkansas R At Valley Center | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 5.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- El Dorado East Park Pond
- Augusta City Lake
- Augusta - Santa Fe Lake
- Harvey County Camp Hawk
- Wichita - K-96 Lake
- Newton - Spring Lake Ponds
More reservoirs
Track Frd No 5 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 5
Where does the data for Frd No 5 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 Frd No 5.