Frd No 42 (clouston/beutler Dam)

About Frd No 42 (clouston/beutler Dam)

The primary purpose of Frd No 42 (clouston/beutler Dam) is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Wet Walnut Creek Wjd No 58 (local government). It impounds the Long Branch Creek-tr near Ness City.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 1,866 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 44 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,291 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/19/2023.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Kansas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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