Located in Brown County, Kansas, the 12-8 dam stands as a critical flood risk reduction structure along the South Fork of Wolf River. Built in 2004 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam reaches a height of 38 feet and stretches 970 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 1225.7 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.83 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding.

Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the 12-8 dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a spillway width of 100 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 4473 cubic feet per second. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, indicating its current state of readiness for flood events.

With a moderate risk assessment rating, the 12-8 dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction asset in the region, providing protection against potential inundation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the functionality and importance of structures like the 12-8 dam is essential in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events and ensuring sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.