Dam No 1

EAST MISSION CREEK· Wyandotte, Kansas· Built 1940· Earth· 17 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Dam No 1 is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	17 ft (taller than 13% in KS)
Dam Length	620 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	245 acre-ft
Normal Storage	160 acre-ft

Surface Area	25 acres
Drainage Area	4 sq mi
Max Discharge	1,095 cfs
Year Completed	1940 (86 years old)
NID ID	KS02989

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: March 28, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

LAKE OF THE FOREST INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Dam No 2

Wyandotte, KS

Low Hazard 24 ft

Mellott Timberlake Dam

Wyandotte, KS

High Hazard 29 ft

Castle Parks Dam

Wyandotte, KS

High Hazard 23 ft

Wallace Dam

Wyandotte, KS

High Hazard 31 ft

Wilcox Dam

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Significant Hazard 51 ft

Dam KS02688

Wyandotte, KS

Low Hazard 27 ft

Dam KS01166

Johnson, KS

High Hazard 22 ft

Dam KS02993

Wyandotte, KS

Low Hazard 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dam No 1?

Dam No 1 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 Dam No 1?

Dam No 1 is owned by LAKE OF THE FOREST INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dam No 1 built?

Dam No 1 was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Dam No 1?

Dam No 1 serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dam No 1?

Dam No 1 has a dam height of 17 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 Dam No 1 last inspected?

Dam No 1 was last inspected on March 28, 2022. 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.