Jack Mott Dam dam
Jack Mott Dam
Jack Mott Dam, also known as Lower Mott Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Built in 1975, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a hydraulic height of 29 feet. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, and as a small fish pond, with a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet and a normal storage of 210 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 650 feet along Elm Creek-TR, serving as a crucial resource for the local community.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Jack Mott Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and proper functioning. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam has not been fully evaluated in recent years. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment remain unspecified, raising questions about its readiness for potential emergencies or disasters. With its proximity to the Kansas City District and support from Congressman Ron Estes, Jack Mott Dam plays a vital role in water resource management in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Jack Mott Dam to be a fascinating structure, providing essential services for fire protection, stock, and recreation in Barber County, Kansas. This earth dam, with a buttress core type, has been a part of the local landscape for over four decades, offering a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet to support the community's needs. As discussions around water management and infrastructure continue, the condition and future maintenance of Jack Mott Dam will be crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of its operations for years to come.
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 Jack Mott Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine Lodge R Nr Kiowa | 36 cfs | → |
| Sf Ninnescah R Nr Pratt | 5 cfs | → |
| Salt Fork Arkansas River Nr Alva | 38 cfs | → |
| Rattlesnake C Nr Macksville | 1 cfs | → |
| Sf Ninnescah R Nr Murdock | 95 cfs | → |
| Nf Ninnescah R Ab Cheney Re | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jack Mott Dam.
Track Jack Mott 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 Jack Mott Dam
Where does the data for Jack Mott 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 Jack Mott Dam.