Frd No 16 dam
Frd No 16
Frd No 16, also known as Upper Walnut WS Joint District No 33, is a local government-owned earth dam located in Butler County, Kansas. Constructed in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Cole Creek. With a structural height of 26 feet and a length of 1525 feet, Frd No 16 has a storage capacity of 1476.38 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 63 feet.
The dam is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and is classified as having a low hazard potential. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the condition of Frd No 16 is currently not rated, highlighting the need for further assessment and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk management. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and no outlet gates, indicating its reliance on natural overflow mechanisms during high water events.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, the maintenance and monitoring of infrastructure like Frd No 16 becomes crucial in protecting communities from potential flooding. With its strategic location and design elements, this dam plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks along the Cole Creek and underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 16 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar C Nr Cedar Point | 28 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood R Nr Florence | 94 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 24 cfs | → |
| N Cottonwood R Bl Marion Lk | 9 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood R Nr Plymouth | 231 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Valley Center | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 16.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- El Dorado East Park Pond
- Chase State Fishing Lake
- Augusta City Lake
- Augusta - Santa Fe Lake
- Harvey County Camp Hawk
- Newton - Spring Lake Ponds
More reservoirs
Track Frd No 16 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 16
Where does the data for Frd No 16 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.