Happy Hollow dam
Happy Hollow
Happy Hollow is a privately-owned dam located in Linwood, Kansas, designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Built in 1962 for flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and has a storage capacity of 324.4 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 131 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Happy Hollow serves as a vital structure in the Pony Creek watershed, providing protection against floods while also offering recreational opportunities.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Happy Hollow features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 140 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 1017 cubic feet per second. The dam's primary purpose of flood risk reduction is complemented by its secondary function of recreational use, attracting visitors to its 12-acre surface area. Although its condition is currently not rated, the dam undergoes regular inspections by state agencies to ensure its safety and effectiveness in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Happy Hollow continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in Leavenworth County, Kansas. With a history of successful flood risk reduction and a commitment to regulatory standards, this earth dam stands as a testament to the importance of proper infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change on local communities. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can admire the engineering prowess behind Happy Hollow while appreciating its role in safeguarding the environment and enhancing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
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 Happy Hollow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger C Nr Tonganoxie | 990 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Lecompton | 7,110 cfs | → |
| Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence | 28 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Desoto | 9,930 cfs | → |
| Delaware R Bl Perry Dam | 33 cfs | → |
| Kill C At 95 St Nr Desoto | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Happy Hollow.
Track Happy Hollow 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 Happy Hollow
Where does the data for Happy Hollow 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 Happy Hollow.