New Wellington Lake dam
New Wellington Lake
New Wellington Lake, located in Sumner County, Kansas, is a vital water resource managed by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Built in 1996 by Wilson and Company, this earth dam stands at 39 feet high and spans 3700 feet, serving as a crucial flood risk reduction and water supply structure for the area. With a maximum storage capacity of 15,986 acre-feet and a normal storage of 5,907 acre-feet, the lake covers a surface area of 675 acres and drains an area of 17.8 square miles.
The dam, situated on East Prairie Creek, has a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition with a regular inspection frequency of 5 years. With no outlet gates, the structure relies on its spillway width of 300 feet to manage excess water flow. Despite its modest size, New Wellington Lake plays a crucial role in water supply management for the region, showcasing the importance of proper regulation and maintenance of such infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns. enthusiasts and environmentalists alike can appreciate the strategic design and function of this essential water resource in Kansas.
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 New Wellington Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chikaskia R Nr Corbin | 176 cfs | → |
| Slate C At Wellington | 25 cfs | → |
| Ninnescah R Nr Peck | 608 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 598 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Arkansas City | 841 cfs | → |
| Walnut R At Winfield | 211 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near New Wellington Lake.
Boat launches
- Flood Dike Road Winfield
- North Pond Trail Arkansas City
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- East Madison Avenue Arkansas City
Campgrounds
- Wellington Lake West Rec Area
- Wellington Lake East Rec Area
- Argonia River Park
- Napawalla Park
- Cave Park
- Winfield Fairgrounds Rv
Track New Wellington Lake 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 New Wellington Lake
Where does the data for New Wellington Lake 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 Significant 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 New Wellington Lake.