Cedar Bluff

SMOKY HILL RIVER· Trego, Kansas· Built 1951· Earth· 202 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Cedar Bluff is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. 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 202 ft (taller than 100% in KS)
Dam Length12,560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage730.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage185.1K acre-ft
Surface Area10,790 acres
Drainage Area5,340 sq mi
Max Discharge91,000 cfs
Year Completed1951 (75 years old)
NID IDKS00019

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: June 11, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cedar Bluff?

Cedar Bluff 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 Cedar Bluff?

Cedar Bluff is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cedar Bluff built?

Cedar Bluff was completed in 1951, making it 75 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Cedar Bluff?

Cedar Bluff serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cedar Bluff?

Cedar Bluff has a dam height of 202 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 Cedar Bluff last inspected?

Cedar Bluff was last inspected on June 11, 2020. 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.