Frd No 34 dam
Frd No 34
Frd No 34, located in Elk County, Kansas, is a crucial piece of infrastructure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the Elk River. Completed in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans 3000 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1150 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 107.8 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Frd No 34 plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Frd No 34 is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a maximum discharge capacity of 1120 cubic feet per second. Despite not having a formal condition assessment, this dam remains operational and serves its primary purpose of flood risk reduction effectively. The surrounding community in Howard, Kansas, can rest assured knowing that Frd No 34 is in place to safeguard against potential floodwaters from the Elk River.
Although Frd No 34 has not been rated for its condition, it is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its continued functionality and safety. With a designated emergency action plan and updated contact information, this dam is prepared to handle any unforeseen events that may arise. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the vital role that Frd No 34 plays in sustainable water management and flood mitigation efforts in Elk County, Kansas.
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 34 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter C At Climax | 7 cfs | → |
| Elk R At Elk Falls | 18 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 52 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 34 cfs | → |
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 27 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frd No 34.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Moline City Park
- Rock Ridge Cove North - Fall River Lake
- Fall River State Park
- Damsite - Fall River Lake
- White Hall Bay - Fall River Lake
- Quivira Scout Ranch
Track Frd No 34 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 34
Where does the data for Frd No 34 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.