Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake)
Key Takeaway
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 | 39 ft (taller than 91.9% in KS) |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 705 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,016 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1931 (95 years old) |
| NID ID | KS02489 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
OLATHE, CITY OF
Local Government
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High Hazard 21 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake)?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe 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 Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake)?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) is owned by OLATHE, CITY OF (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) built?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Lake (Old Olathe Lake)?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake)?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) has a dam height of 39 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 Lake (Old Olathe Lake) last inspected?
Cedar Lake (Old Olathe Lake) was last inspected on April 10, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.