Cheney

NORTH FORK NINNESCAH· Sedgwick, Kansas· Built 1963· Earth· 126 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Cheney is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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	126 ft (taller than 99.9% in KS)
Dam Length	24,458 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	753.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage	167.1K acre-ft

Surface Area	28,000 acres
Drainage Area	664 sq mi
Max Discharge	3,000 cfs
Year Completed	1963 (63 years old)
NID ID	KS00017

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: August 20, 2020

State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

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Frd No L-1

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Dam KS05029

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Lake 40 & 8 Dam

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Dam KS03742

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Frd No 3

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Dam KS04918

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Low Hazard 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cheney?

Cheney 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 Cheney?

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

When was Cheney built?

Cheney was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Cheney?

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

How tall is Cheney?

Cheney has a dam height of 126 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 Cheney last inspected?

Cheney was last inspected on August 20, 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.