Holyrood Lake

WOLF CREEK-TR· Ellsworth, Kansas· Built 1937· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Holyrood Lake is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 34.2% in KS)
Dam Length825 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage317 acre-ft
Normal Storage116 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge4,300 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDKS02541

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: Yes
Last Inspection: March 11, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

HOLYROOD, CITY OF

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Holyrood Lake?

Holyrood Lake 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 Holyrood Lake?

Holyrood Lake is owned by HOLYROOD, CITY OF (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Holyrood Lake built?

Holyrood Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Holyrood Lake?

Holyrood Lake 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 Holyrood Lake?

Holyrood Lake has a dam height of 22 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 Holyrood Lake last inspected?

Holyrood Lake was last inspected on March 11, 2015. 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.