Schmidt Dam dam
Schmidt Dam
Schmidt Dam, located in Lindsborg, Kansas, was completed in 1977 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a crucial structure along the Indian Creek-TR. This earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a storage capacity of 131 acre-feet, providing essential flood control and water supply management for the surrounding area. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Schmidt Dam is a key component in the local water resource infrastructure.
Despite being privately owned, Schmidt Dam is not state-regulated and does not require permits or inspections from state agencies. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has a maximum discharge capacity of 690 cubic feet per second. The condition of the dam is currently not rated, but its risk management measures are in place to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. Though it may not be as large or high-profile as other dams, Schmidt Dam plays a vital role in the water resource management of McPherson County, Kansas.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of structures like Schmidt Dam in managing water supply and mitigating flood risks cannot be overstated. With its strategic location, design, and capacity, Schmidt Dam stands as a testament to the collaboration between private owners and federal agencies in safeguarding water resources for the future. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates continue to monitor and assess the impact of dams on the environment, Schmidt Dam remains a crucial piece of the puzzle in ensuring sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Schmidt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Hill R At Lindsborg | 24 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R Nr Mentor | 27 cfs | → |
| Gypsum C Nr Gypsum | 11 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R Nr Langley | 12 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Alta Mills | 3 cfs | → |
| Mulberry C Nr Salina | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schmidt Dam.
Boat launches
- Switchgrass Ellsworth County
- Venango Terrace Ellsworth County
- Ellsworth County
- 200th Street Marion County
Track Schmidt Dam 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 Schmidt Dam
Where does the data for Schmidt Dam 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 Schmidt Dam.