Bear Lake

KAW CREEK-TR· Leavenworth, Kansas· Earth· 41 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Bear Lake is classified as high hazard in Kansas. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	41 ft (taller than 93.5% in KS)
Dam Length	900 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage	611 acre-ft

Surface Area	63 acres
Drainage Area	4 sq mi
Max Discharge	4,620 cfs
NID ID	KS01248

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: December 14, 2017

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

BEAR LAKE HOME ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Dam KS04042

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 30 ft

Dam KS02803

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 30 ft

Johnson/Tadlock Dam

Leavenworth, KS

High Hazard 20 ft

Dam KS02844

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 30 ft

Dam KS04063

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 27 ft

Dam KS02835

Leavenworth, KS

Significant Hazard 24 ft

Dam KS02826

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 32 ft

Dam KS01268

Leavenworth, KS

Low Hazard 29 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Lake?

Bear Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bear Lake?

Bear Lake is owned by BEAR LAKE HOME ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Lake?

Bear Lake serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bear Lake?

Bear Lake has a dam height of 41 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bear Lake last inspected?

Bear Lake was last inspected on December 14, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.