153 Dam
153
Located in Wabaunsee, Kansas, the dam known as 153 was completed in 2007 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Mill Creek-TR river. Standing at a height of 31.9 feet and stretching 575 feet in length, this earth dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential hazards. With a normal storage capacity of 13.6 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 2850 cubic feet per second, 153 serves as a vital resource for water management and protection against flooding.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 153 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. Despite being categorized as a high hazard potential structure, the dam's condition assessment remains satisfactory, indicating its reliability in mitigating flood risks. As a key component in the region's water resource and climate resilience framework, 153 underscores the importance of strategic infrastructure investments in safeguarding communities from natural disasters and ensuring sustainable water management practices.
With a risk assessment rating of moderate and a designated emergency action plan, 153 is equipped to respond effectively to potential threats and emergencies. Regular inspections, a comprehensive risk management approach, and adherence to regulatory guidelines underscore the commitment to maintaining the dam's functionality and safety standards. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to prioritize resilience and sustainability, dams like 153 serve as essential components in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate variability.
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 153 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kings C Nr Manhattan | 1 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Paxico | 112 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Wamego | 3,530 cfs | → |
| Neosho R At Council Grove | 524 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Fort Riley | 865 cfs | → |
| Kansas R Nr Belvue | 3,380 cfs | → |
About 153
Where does the data for 153 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 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.