Dd No 115 dam
Dd No 115
Dd No 115, located in Climax, Kansas, is a local government-owned dam designed for flood risk reduction along the Watson Branch Otter Creek. This earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans 1100 feet, with a storage capacity of 470 acre-feet and a normal storage of 75.2 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk rating and is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and functionality.
The dam, constructed by BUCHER & WILLIS, serves a primary purpose of flood risk reduction and is categorized as an uncontrolled spillway type with a spillway width of 50 feet. With a drainage area of 1.22 square miles, Dd No 115 plays a crucial role in managing water flows and mitigating flood risks in the region. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, its risk management measures are being closely monitored to address any potential vulnerabilities and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
Overall, Dd No 115 is a vital piece of infrastructure in Greenwood County, Kansas, providing essential flood protection along the Watson Branch Otter Creek. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize the significance of dams like Dd No 115 in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events and ensuring sustainable water management practices. By staying informed about the regulatory oversight, risk assessment, and maintenance of such structures, we can work towards a more resilient and secure water future for all.
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 Dd No 115 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter C At Climax | 13 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 55 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 39 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 824 cfs | → |
| Cedar C Nr Cedar Point | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dd No 115.
Campgrounds
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Fall River State Park
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- El Dorado State Park
- Moline City Park
Fishing spots
- Butler State Lake
- El Dorado East Park Pond
- Augusta City Lake
- Augusta - Santa Fe Lake
- Rose Hill - School St. Pond
- Mulvane-Cedar Brook Pond
More reservoirs
Track Dd No 115 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 Dd No 115
Where does the data for Dd No 115 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 Dd No 115.