Thomas Site dam
Thomas Site
The Thomas Site in Fort Scott, Kansas, is a critical structure managed by the local government for flood risk reduction along the Marmaton River. Completed in 2012, this earth dam stands at 41 feet high and has a storage capacity of 660 acre-feet, serving its primary purpose effectively. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam is under the regulatory oversight of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
Located in Bourbon County, Kansas, the Thomas Site dam spans 878 feet in length and has a spillway width of 100 feet for uncontrolled discharge during high-flow events. With a drainage area of 2.56 square miles, the dam's normal storage capacity is 168 acre-feet, providing essential flood protection to the surrounding area. Despite its condition being not rated, the structure meets guidelines for emergency action plans and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
Overall, the Thomas Site serves as a vital asset in managing flood risks along the Marmaton River, showcasing the collaborative effort between local and state agencies to safeguard the community. With its strategic location and efficient design, the dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience in Kansas, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in Fort Scott and beyond.
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 Thomas Site -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marmaton R Nr Marmaton | 194 cfs | → |
| Marmaton R Nr Fort Scott | 20 cfs | → |
| Marmaton R Nr Uniontown | 3 cfs | → |
| L Osage R At Fulton | 30 cfs | → |
| East Drywood Creek At Prairie State Park | · | → |
| Marmaton River Near Nevada | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas Site.
Boat launches
- Kansas Road Marmaton
- West Atlantic Street 634, Nevada
- South 1500 Road Vernon County
- Southwest 50th Road Barton County
- Vernon County
Track Thomas Site 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 Thomas Site
Where does the data for Thomas Site 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 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 Thomas Site.