Lake Vaquero

SHUNGANUNGA CREEK-TR· Shawnee, Kansas· Built 1963· Earth· 33 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Vaquero is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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	33 ft (taller than 81.7% in KS)
Dam Length	700 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	778 acre-ft
Normal Storage	361 acre-ft

Surface Area	30 acres
Drainage Area	1 sq mi
Year Completed	1963 (63 years old)
NID ID	KS02885

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 29, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

VAQUERO LAKE CLUB INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Dam KS02871

Shawnee, KS

Low Hazard 27 ft

Legacy Lakes

Shawnee, KS

High Hazard 26 ft

Lake Sherwood

Shawnee, KS

High Hazard 54 ft

Dam KS03797

Shawnee, KS

Low Hazard 31 ft

Dam KS03965

Shawnee, KS

Low Hazard 26 ft

Dam KS02872

Shawnee, KS

Low Hazard 27 ft

Dam KS01903

Shawnee, KS

Low Hazard 30 ft

Lake A

Shawnee, KS

Unknown 30 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Vaquero?

Lake Vaquero 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 Vaquero?

Lake Vaquero is owned by VAQUERO LAKE CLUB INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Vaquero built?

Lake Vaquero was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Vaquero?

Lake Vaquero 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 Vaquero?

Lake Vaquero has a dam height of 33 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 Vaquero last inspected?

Lake Vaquero was last inspected on September 29, 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.