Expanded Kansas River Hydropower

Kansas River· Douglas, Kansas· Built 1874· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1874 and is 152 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 1.3% in KS)
Dam Length880 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage900 acre-ft
Surface Area400 acres
Drainage Area58,420 sq mi
Year Completed1874 (152 years old)
NID IDKS00033

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 3, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Bowersock Mills and Power Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Expanded Kansas River Hydropower?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Expanded Kansas River Hydropower?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower is owned by Bowersock Mills and Power Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Expanded Kansas River Hydropower built?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower was completed in 1874, making it 152 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 Expanded Kansas River Hydropower?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Expanded Kansas River Hydropower?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower has a dam height of 12 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 Expanded Kansas River Hydropower last inspected?

Expanded Kansas River Hydropower was last inspected on May 3, 2018. 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.