Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 dam
Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1
Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 in Osage, Kansas, is a state-owned structure designed for Fish and Wildlife Pond purposes, providing a habitat for various waterfowl species. The dam, primarily made of earth with a buttress core type, stands at a height of 14 feet and stretches out for 380 feet, creating a surface area of 4.1 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 52.4 acre-feet. Situated along the Marais Des Cygnes River, the dam serves as a recreational spot for enthusiasts of water resources and climate, offering opportunities for wildlife observation and outdoor activities.
Managed by the Kansas Department of State, Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 holds a low hazard potential with a condition assessment of "Not Rated." Although not currently regulated or inspected by state agencies, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are unknown. With a designated spillway width of 43 feet and no outlet gates, the dam's primary function is to maintain a sustainable environment for fish and wildlife while also catering to recreational interests. While lacking detailed information on its construction and maintenance history, the dam remains a significant feature in the conservation and preservation efforts within the region.
As part of the Tulsa District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 contributes to the ecological balance of the area by providing essential water resources for wildlife and recreational activities. The dam's strategic location along the Marais Des Cygnes River enhances the biodiversity of the region and offers a serene setting for nature enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Despite limited information on its operational aspects, the dam's role in supporting the local ecosystem underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change on aquatic habitats.
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 Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marais Des Cygnes R At Melvern | 27 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Reading | 115 cfs | → |
| Salt C At Lyndon | 81 cfs | → |
| Dragoon C Nr Burlingame | 52 cfs | → |
| Hundred And Ten Mile C Nr Quenemo | 11 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Pomona | 695 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1.
Track Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 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 Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1
Where does the data for Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1 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 Melvern Waterfowl Marsh Dam #1.