Frd No 23 dam
Frd No 23
Frd No 23, also known as Wakarusa Watershed Dam 23, is a key infrastructure owned by the local government in Osage, Kansas. Built in 1972 by USDA NRCS, this buttress dam stands at 44 feet high and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Elk Creek. With a storage capacity of 1012 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flood hazards.
Located in the Tulsa District, Frd No 23 is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, this dam remains an essential component of the local water resource infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the importance of such flood control structures becomes increasingly evident in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the effects of extreme weather events.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the role of infrastructure like Frd No 23 in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources. By understanding the design, purpose, and regulatory oversight of such dams, we can appreciate the efforts made to manage water flow and reduce the risks associated with flooding. With ongoing maintenance and monitoring, these structures contribute to the resilience of communities and ecosystems 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 Frd No 23 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wakarusa R Nr Richland | 440 cfs | → |
| Hundred And Ten Mile C Nr Quenemo | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence | 138 cfs | → |
| Salt C At Lyndon | 98 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Pomona | 2,720 cfs | → |
| Dragoon C Nr Burlingame | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 23.
Track Frd No 23 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 23
Where does the data for Frd No 23 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 Frd No 23.