209 dam
209
Located in Pleasant Grove, Kansas, the 209 dam stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management. Completed in 2003 by King Engineering, this earth dam spans 275 feet in length and reaches a height of 36.2 feet, with a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The dam serves a primary purpose of flood control, with a spillway width of 40 feet to manage maximum discharge of 618 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the 209 dam remains a critical infrastructure for the local government in Douglas County.
Owned and regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the 209 dam is subject to regular state inspections, enforcement, and permitting. The dam's condition is currently rated as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further assessment and risk management measures. While no associated structures or locks are present, the 209 dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With a surface area of 3.8 acres and a normal storage capacity of 6.7 acre-feet, this dam is a vital asset for water resource enthusiasts in the region.
As a key feature of the local water infrastructure, the 209 dam represents a collaborative effort between state and federal agencies to ensure proper management and maintenance. With its uncontrolled spillway and buttress core design, the dam provides essential flood protection for the community. While its risk assessment is moderate, ongoing monitoring and risk management measures are essential to safeguarding the dam's integrity and functionality for years to come. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the 209 dam serves as a prime example of effective water resource management in action.
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 209 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence | 28 cfs | → |
| Kansas R At Lecompton | 7,110 cfs | → |
| Wakarusa R Nr Richland | 77 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Ottawa | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Delaware R Bl Perry Dam | 33 cfs | → |
| Big Bull C Nr Edgerton | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near 209.
Track 209 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 209
Where does the data for 209 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 209.