Lake Dabinawa

MUD CREEK· Jefferson, Kansas· Built 1958· Earth· 50 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Dabinawa is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 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 50 ft (taller than 97.5% in KS)
Dam Length1,180 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage65 acre-ft
Surface Area81 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge9,214 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDKS02784

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: September 16, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

LAKE DABINAWA ASSOCIATION BOARD

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Dabinawa?

Lake Dabinawa 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 Lake Dabinawa?

Lake Dabinawa is owned by LAKE DABINAWA ASSOCIATION BOARD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Dabinawa built?

Lake Dabinawa was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Lake Dabinawa?

Lake Dabinawa serves the following purposes: Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Dabinawa?

Lake Dabinawa has a dam height of 50 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 Lake Dabinawa last inspected?

Lake Dabinawa was last inspected on September 16, 2021. 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.