Livingston Dam dam
Livingston Dam
Livingston Dam, located in Sedgwick County, Kansas, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1957 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans a length of 670 feet along the Ninnescah River. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Situated in the city of Oxford, Livingston Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition. Despite not being state regulated or inspected, the dam remains a vital asset for the community, offering opportunities for water-based recreational activities. With its unique design and historical significance, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate patterns.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Livingston Dam presents a fascinating case study of how human-made structures can both enhance recreational opportunities and contribute to water conservation efforts. With its tranquil surroundings and picturesque location on the Ninnescah River, this privately owned dam serves as a valuable asset for both the local community and visitors alike, highlighting the intersection between water infrastructure and environmental stewardship 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 Livingston Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ninnescah R Nr Peck | 157 cfs | → |
| Cowskin C At 119th St At Wichita | 1 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Wichita | 175 cfs | → |
| Floodway At Arkansas R At Wichita | · | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 209 cfs | → |
| Sf Ninnescah R Nr Murdock | 92 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Livingston Dam.
Boat launches
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- Wichita
- East 45th Street North 1221, Park City
- East 29th Street North Wichita
Campgrounds
- Lake Afton Park
- Mcconnell Afb Military
- Wellington Lake West Rec Area
- Wellington Lake East Rec Area
- Argonia River Park
- Napawalla Park
Track Livingston Dam 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 Livingston Dam
Where does the data for Livingston Dam 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 Livingston Dam.