Hidden Valley Lakes

BELL BRANCH· Bourbon, Kansas· Built 1977· Earth· 63 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Hidden Valley Lakes is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 63 ft (taller than 99.1% in KS)
Dam Length1,070 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.3K acre-ft
Surface Area95 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge4,560 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDKS04636

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

NC & W LAND DEVELOPEMENT INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hidden Valley Lakes?

Hidden Valley Lakes 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 Hidden Valley Lakes?

Hidden Valley Lakes is owned by NC & W LAND DEVELOPEMENT INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hidden Valley Lakes built?

Hidden Valley Lakes was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Hidden Valley Lakes?

Hidden Valley Lakes 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 Hidden Valley Lakes?

Hidden Valley Lakes has a dam height of 63 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.

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.