Aiken Dd No 1 dam
Aiken Dd No 1
Aiken Dd No 1, also known as Aiken Creek Watershed Detention Dam 1, is a crucial structure in Chautauqua, Kansas, designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along Bee Creek. Completed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and spans a length of 980 feet, with a storage capacity of 3200 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Aiken Dd No 1 plays a vital role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential inundation during extreme weather events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Aiken Dd No 1 is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Located in Havana, Kansas, this dam is situated in a strategic position to protect the community and infrastructure from the impacts of flooding. With a drainage area of 10.5 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 4050 cubic feet per second, this dam serves as a critical component of the water resource management system in the region.
While the condition assessment of Aiken Dd No 1 is currently not rated, its emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are under review. With its designation as a low-hazard structure, this dam remains a key asset in the efforts to mitigate flood risks and protect the environment and communities in Chautauqua County. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Aiken Dd No 1 offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and climate resilience.
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 Aiken Dd No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 36 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R At Independence | 810 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 53 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 106 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R At Coffeyville | 1,390 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 211 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Aiken Dd No 1.
Track Aiken Dd No 1 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 Aiken Dd No 1
Where does the data for Aiken Dd No 1 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 Aiken Dd No 1.