Frd No 18 dam
Frd No 18
Frd No 18, also known as Whitewater River WS Dam No 18, is a flood risk reduction structure located in Towanda, Kansas. Owned by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, this earth dam was completed in 1979 and stands at a height of 35 feet. It serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Wildcat Creek, with a storage capacity of 5039 acre-feet and a drainage area of 8.31 square miles.
The dam, designed by USDA NRCS, has a high hazard potential and is inspected every three years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite its age, the condition assessment remains satisfactory, and the risk assessment indicates a moderate risk level. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 88 feet, and the dam's surface area covers 87.2 acres. With its critical role in mitigating flood risks in the region, Frd No 18 is a vital component of water resource and climate management efforts in Harvey County, Kansas.
As a key structure in the flood control system along Wildcat Creek, Frd No 18 plays a crucial role in protecting nearby communities from potential inundation. With its impressive storage capacity and strategic location, this dam is a testament to the ongoing efforts by local governments and regulatory agencies to manage water resources effectively in the face of changing climate patterns. The satisfactory condition assessment and moderate risk level underscore the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the continued functionality and safety of this essential infrastructure.
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 18 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| L Arkansas R At Valley Center | 26 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R Nr Sedgwick | 20 cfs | → |
| Floodway At L Arkansas R At Valley Center | · | → |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 110 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 27 cfs | → |
| Floodway At Arkansas R At Wichita | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 18.
Boat launches
- East 45th Street North 1221, Park City
- East 29th Street North Wichita
- Wichita
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- Chelsea
- 200th Street Marion County
Campgrounds
Track Frd No 18 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 18
Where does the data for Frd No 18 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 High 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 18.