Dd No 26 Dam
Dd No 26
Dd No 26, a local government-owned dam located in Wabaunsee, Kansas, serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the West Branch Mill Creek. Constructed in 1995, this earth dam stands at a height of 37.2 feet and has a length of 800 feet, providing a storage capacity of 636 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1522 cubic feet per second. With a surface area of 17.5 acres and a drainage area of 2.26 square miles, Dd No 26 plays a crucial role in mitigating the potential impacts of flooding in the region.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Dd No 26 is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state government to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated. With an uncontrolled spillway type and no outlet gates, Dd No 26 embodies a vital infrastructure asset in the region's water resource and climate management efforts, warranting continued monitoring and risk management measures to uphold its flood risk reduction capabilities.
In the face of evolving climate patterns and increasing water resource challenges, Dd No 26 stands as a testament to the critical role of infrastructure in safeguarding communities against the impacts of flooding. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the design, purpose, and regulatory framework of dams like Dd No 26 is essential for fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing climate. By staying informed and engaged in the management of such vital structures, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of water resources and the protection of communities against the threats posed by extreme weather events and flooding.
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 26 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kings C Nr Manhattan | 1 cfs | → |
| Neosho R At Council Grove | 524 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Paxico | 112 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Wamego | 3,530 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Fort Riley | 865 cfs | → |
| Kansas R Nr Belvue | 3,380 cfs | → |
About Dd No 26
Where does the data for Dd No 26 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 below 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.
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.