Idle Wild Lake dam
Idle Wild Lake
Idle Wild Lake, also known as Waterville Dam, is a picturesque reservoir located in Waterville, Kansas. Managed by the local government, this dam on the Little Blue River-TR serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Constructed in 1935 by Wilson Engineering Co, Idle Wild Lake stands at a height of 45 feet with a hydraulic height of 38 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 145 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Idle Wild Lake is a well-maintained structure with state-regulated oversight from the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The dam features a spillway width of 100 feet and is surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The dam's location within the Kansas City District adds to its appeal as a must-visit destination for those interested in water resources and climate conservation efforts in the region.
As a beloved recreational spot in Marshall County, Kansas, Idle Wild Lake offers a serene setting for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature while also appreciating the engineering marvel that is the dam itself. Whether you're a water enthusiast looking to explore new reservoirs or a climate advocate interested in sustainable water management practices, Idle Wild Lake is a destination that showcases the harmonious relationship between human development and environmental preservation. With its rich history, scenic views, and state-regulated maintenance, Idle Wild Lake is a gem waiting to be discovered by those passionate about water resources and climate conservation.
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 Idle Wild Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| L Blue R Nr Barnes | 1,720 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 5,600 cfs | → |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 253 cfs | → |
| Fancy C At Winkler | 8 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Washington | 110 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 653 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Idle Wild Lake.
Boat launches
- Gardiner Road Riley County
- Riley County
- Fancy Creek Mountain Bike Trail - Outer Loop Riley County
- Baldwin Creek Road Riley County
- Mound Ridge Drive Riley County
- Diamond Lake Wma
Track Idle Wild Lake 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 Idle Wild Lake
Where does the data for Idle Wild Lake 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 Idle Wild Lake.