Dam No 2 dam
Dam No 2
Dam No 2, located in Ottawa, Kansas, along the Solomon River, was completed in 2009 and serves as a vital recreational resource in the area. Owned and regulated by a private entity, this earth dam stands at a height of 25.3 feet and has a storage capacity of 95.2 acre-feet, making it a significant asset for water management in the region. With a spillway type of 'Uncontrolled' and a hazard potential rated as 'Significant', the dam requires periodic inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Dam No 2 poses a moderate risk due to its close proximity to the river and surrounding areas. The dam's primary purpose of recreation attracts water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities in a scenic environment. Despite not having outlet gates, this structure plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and supporting the local ecosystem. With a drainage area of 0.31 square miles and a normalized storage capacity of 23.8 acre-feet, Dam No 2 contributes to the overall water management efforts in Kansas.
As a part of the Kansas City District, Dam No 2 is a testament to responsible dam construction and management practices. With no associated locks and a spillway width not specified, the dam remains a key feature in the landscape of Ottawa, providing both recreational opportunities and essential water regulation functions. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Dam No 2 in ensuring sustainable water usage and protection of the surrounding environment in Ottawa, 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 Dam No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon R At Niles | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Solomon R Nr Minneapolis | 158 cfs | → |
| Mulberry C Nr Salina | 20 cfs | → |
| Saline R At Tescott | 826 cfs | → |
| Salt C Nr Ada | 304 cfs | → |
| Smoky Hill R Nr Mentor | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dam No 2.
Track Dam No 2 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 Dam No 2
Where does the data for Dam No 2 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 Dam No 2.