Frd No M-3 dam
Frd No M-3
Frd No M-3, also known as Walnut Creek Watershed Dam M 3, is a vital structure in the Brown County of Kansas, owned by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Completed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 42 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Mulberry Creek-TR. With a storage capacity of 1747 acre-feet and a drainage area of 3.94 square miles, Frd No M-3 plays a significant role in mitigating potential hazards and ensuring the safety of the surrounding communities.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Frd No M-3 is classified as having a high hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 400 feet and operates under the oversight of the Kansas City District. With a maximum discharge capacity of 13180 cubic feet per second, this structure is well-equipped to handle significant water flow during heavy rainfall events. As a crucial component of the local water resource infrastructure, Frd No M-3 continues to play a critical role in protecting lives and property from flooding risks in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the engineering details of Frd No M-3, including its buttress core type and uncontrolled spillway design. The dam's location in Padonia, Kansas, highlights its strategic placement within the Walnut Creek Watershed for effective flood management. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a history of serving the community for over five decades, Frd No M-3 stands as a testament to the importance of proactive dam safety measures in safeguarding against natural disasters and ensuring sustainable water resource management.
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 Frd No M-3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Nemaha River At Falls City | 2,530 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Rulo | 43,900 cfs | → |
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 242 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Delaware R Nr Muscotah | 321 cfs | → |
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 1,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No M-3.
Boat launches
- Pony Creek Boat Ramp
- Rulo Boat Ramp 8482
- Iron Horse Trail Lake
- Kirkmans Cove Lake
- Indian Cave
- Jackson County
Campgrounds
- Pony Creek Lake
- Sabetha Lake
- Verdon Lake State Rec Area
- Humboldt Lake Park
- Iron Horse Trail Lake
- Centralia Lake
More reservoirs
Track Frd No M-3 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 Frd No M-3
Where does the data for Frd No M-3 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Frd No M-3.