Douglas County State Lake Dam

COAL CREEK· Douglas, Kansas· Built 1961· Earth· 58 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Douglas County State Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 58 ft (taller than 98.7% in KS)
Dam Length2,280 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.1K acre-ft
Surface Area180 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge1,993 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDKS00870

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 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

KANSAS DEPT OF WILDLIFE PARKS & TOURISM

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Douglas County State Lake Dam?

Douglas County State Lake Dam 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 Douglas County State Lake Dam?

Douglas County State Lake Dam is owned by KANSAS DEPT OF WILDLIFE PARKS & TOURISM (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Douglas County State Lake Dam built?

Douglas County State Lake Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Douglas County State Lake Dam?

Douglas County State Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Douglas County State Lake Dam?

Douglas County State Lake Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Douglas County State Lake Dam last inspected?

Douglas County State Lake Dam was last inspected on June 8, 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.