215 dam
215
Located in Nemaha, Kansas, the dam known as 215 serves as a crucial element in flood risk reduction along the North Fork Vermillion River. Constructed in 2009, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a hydraulic height of 24 feet, offering a normal storage capacity of 39 acre-feet. Additionally, the dam boasts a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 714 cubic feet per second, making it a key asset in managing water flow in the region.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 215 is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, with a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating. Designed by Cohorst Engineering & Surveying, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events, demonstrating the importance of effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its strategic location and design features, 215 stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of local government agencies in safeguarding communities against natural disasters.
Overall, 215 stands as a testament to the proactive measures taken to mitigate flood risks in Nemaha, Kansas. With its solid construction and efficient design, this earth dam not only provides flood protection but also contributes to the sustainable management of water resources in the region. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water infrastructure, structures like 215 play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience and safety of communities against the impacts of extreme weather events.
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 215 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey C Nr Seneca | 76 cfs | → |
| Black Vermillion R Nr Frankfort | 99 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Marysville | 933 cfs | → |
| Big Blue R At Barneston Nebr | 862 cfs | → |
| North Fork Big Nemaha River At Humboldt | 340 cfs | → |
| Vermillion C Nr Wamego | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near 215.
Boat launches
- Iron Horse Trail Lake
- Burchard Lake Wma
- Pony Creek Boat Ramp
- Wolf - Wildcat
- Kirkmans Cove Lake
- Big Indian Recreation Area
Track 215 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 215
Where does the data for 215 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 215.