Frd No 46 dam
Frd No 46
Frd No 46, also known as the Upper Black Vermillion WS Site 46, is a local government-owned dam located in Vermillion, Kansas. Constructed in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and spans 900 feet in length. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction along the Black Vermillion River, with a storage capacity of 924.92 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 138 feet.
Managed and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, this dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet and no outlet gates. While it has not been inspected since 2010, the dam is in good condition according to the last assessment. With its location in a rural area and its importance in reducing flood risk, Frd No 46 plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Nemaha County, Kansas.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Frd No 46 in safeguarding the Vermillion community from potential flood events. The dam serves as a vital infrastructure for flood risk reduction, storing water during peak flow periods and releasing it safely downstream. Its construction and maintenance are overseen by the USDA NRCS and the Kansas Department of Agriculture, ensuring its functionality and safety. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, Frd No 46 remains a key asset in protecting the local environment and population from the threats of flooding.
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 46 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 83 cfs | → |
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 62 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 665 cfs | → |
| Vermillion C Nr Wamego | 17 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 653 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 267 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 46.
Track Frd No 46 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 46
Where does the data for Frd No 46 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.