No. 17 dam
No. 17
No. 17, a local government-owned dam located in Harvey County, Kansas, serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along Gypsum Creek. Constructed in 2006, this earth dam stands at a height of 39.8 feet and has a length of 1263 feet, providing a storage capacity of 6803 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 9.35 square miles, No. 17 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flooding in the region.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, this dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its integrity and functionality. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's current condition is assessed as fair, with a moderate risk level. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 330 feet, allowing for the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. With a solid foundation and primary purpose of flood risk reduction, No. 17 stands as a key component in the local water resource management infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, No. 17 presents an intriguing case study in dam engineering and flood control. With its strategic location and design elements tailored for maximum efficiency, this dam exemplifies the intersection of human intervention and natural forces in water management. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water levels, structures like No. 17 play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the threats of flooding and water scarcity. Through ongoing monitoring and maintenance, No. 17 stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 No. 17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| L Arkansas R Nr Sedgwick | 20 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Valley Center | 26 cfs | → |
| Floodway At L Arkansas R At Valley Center | · | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 27 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 110 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Hwy 50 Nr Halstead | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near No. 17.
Boat launches
- East 45th Street North 1221, Park City
- East 29th Street North Wichita
- Wichita
- Chelsea
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- 200th Street Marion County
Campgrounds
Track No. 17 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 No. 17
Where does the data for No. 17 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 High 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.