Midwest Mining dam
Midwest Mining
Midwest Mining, also known as Kars#31, is a privately owned dam located in Douglas, Kansas. This Earth-type structure stands at a height of 30 feet and spans 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet. Situated on the WEST FORK EIGHTMILE CREEK-TR, this dam serves a primary purpose of 'Other' and is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. With a significant hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in March 2013.
The Midwest Mining dam poses a significant risk due to its condition being 'Not Rated' and its location in a high-population area. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status, as well as risk management measures, remain unclear. Despite being state-regulated and inspected, further assessment and preparation may be necessary to ensure the safety and resilience of the structure in the face of potential climate impacts and water resource challenges in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor and advocate for the proper maintenance and management of dams like Midwest Mining to mitigate risks and safeguard communities and ecosystems downstream. Collaborative efforts between state agencies, dam owners, and stakeholders are essential for implementing effective emergency response plans, conducting regular inspections, and implementing necessary risk management measures to address potential hazards and ensure the resilience of critical water infrastructure in the Midwest region.
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 Midwest Mining -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Ottawa | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Hundred And Ten Mile C Nr Quenemo | 11 cfs | → |
| Marais Des Cygnes R Nr Pomona | 695 cfs | → |
| Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence | 28 cfs | → |
| Wakarusa R Nr Richland | 77 cfs | → |
| Salt C At Lyndon | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Midwest Mining.
Boat launches
- North 978 Road Douglas County
- Osage County
- East 600 Road Clinton
- N 1415 Road Lawrence
- Douglas County
- Lake Road 1029 Douglas County
Campgrounds
- Michigan Valley - Pomona Reservoir
- Outlet Park - Pomona Reservoir
- Pomona State Park
- Camp 2
- Camp 1
- Woodridge Public Use Area
More reservoirs
Track Midwest Mining 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 Midwest Mining
Where does the data for Midwest Mining 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 Significant 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 Midwest Mining.