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Logo - Recovery.govWatershed Operations - Wet Walnut Creek Watershed Site 53

Introduction

Map of Kansas showing location of Wet Walnut Creek Watershed site #53This project provides essential flood protection for agricultural land, roads, and bridges. This dam in Wet Walnut Creek Watershed has suffered erosion so severe that it is non-compliance with state law.

Project Description

  • Location: Ness County, 1st Congressional District
  • Federal Funding: $199,000

Wet Walnut Creek is a small flood control dam in west central Kansas that has suffered severe erosion. The degraded dam slope means the structure is now non-compliant with current state law. This dam provides important protection to critical resources, such as agricultural land, roads, and bridges.

Partners

  • USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • Wet Walnut Creek Watershed Joint District #58
  • Ness County Conservation District
  • Scott County Conservation District
  • Lane County Conservation District
Photo of wet walnut site. The reservoir side of the dam has been damaged by wave action. This photo has been enhanced to show where the proposed rock riprap will be placed to protect the damaged side of the dam and to control any future damage.

Benefits

The dam currently provides an estimated $72,200 in average annual flood protection benefits. Beneficiaries include each of the approximately 10,000 people in the area. In addition, 30 miles of stream corridor, with a floodplain that encompasses 50 farms and ranches, approximately 13,000 acres of agricultural lands, and seven roads and bridges will be protected.

Economic Opportunities

In the short term, the repair work will require the hiring of construction crews to make the repairs. In the longer term, the repair work will ensure this flood control dam will provide the community lasting economic opportunities by reducing the costs of flood damage expenses to the community.

Statewide Perspective

Making sound investments in our agricultural infrastructure, including flood prevention measures such as Wet Walnut Creek Site 53, is critical to the long-term economic health of the state.

Photo of fenceline area. View along fenceline. Eroded area is to the left of the fence. Concrete inlet riser appears at left side of picture.
View to the north along pool edge. Pool level has been lowered to facilitate surveying and construction. Photo of wet walnut pool area.

The information on this page may also be downloaded (requires Adobe Reader).

Fact Sheet - Wet Walnut Creek Watershed Site #53, Kansas (PDF; 828 KB)

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Last Modified: 02/01/2010