Dd No 122, located in Anderson County, Kansas, is a key infrastructure owned by the local government for flood risk reduction along Deer Creek. Built in 1987 by the USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 1272 feet, providing a storage capacity of 430 acre-feet to protect the surrounding areas from potential flooding events. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, this dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region.

Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Dd No 122 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Even though the dam is not federally owned, funded, or operated, it serves as a vital component of the local flood control infrastructure, showcasing the collaborative efforts between state and local agencies in safeguarding communities and natural resources against the impacts of extreme weather events. With a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1166 cubic feet per second, this dam is equipped to handle high water levels during heavy rainfall.

As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the state of dams like Dd No 122, it is important to recognize the role of such structures in enhancing resilience to changing weather patterns and increasing flood risks. With its strategic location in the Deer Creek watershed and its effective flood risk reduction capabilities, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive infrastructure planning and management in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.