Lake Herington
Key Takeaway
Lake Herington is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 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 | 36 ft (taller than 87.5% in KS) |
| Dam Length | 4,000 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 3.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 100 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
| NID ID | KS02468 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
HERINGTON, CITY OF
Local Government
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What is the hazard classification of Lake Herington?
Lake Herington 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 Herington?
Lake Herington is owned by HERINGTON, CITY OF (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Lake Herington built?
Lake Herington was completed in 1923, making it 103 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 Herington?
Lake Herington 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 Lake Herington?
Lake Herington has a dam height of 36 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 Herington last inspected?
Lake Herington was last inspected on March 1, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.