Lone Star Lake

WASHINGTON CREEK· Douglas, Kansas· Built 1939· Concrete· 71 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lone Star Lake is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 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 71 ft (taller than 99.5% in KS)
Dam Length1,700 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage5.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.0K acre-ft
Surface Area195 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge10,434 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDKS02540

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: August 1, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lone Star Lake?

Lone Star Lake 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 Lone Star Lake?

Lone Star Lake is owned by DOUGLAS COUNTY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lone Star Lake built?

Lone Star Lake was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Lone Star Lake?

Lone Star 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 Lone Star Lake?

Lone Star Lake has a dam height of 71 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 Lone Star Lake last inspected?

Lone Star Lake was last inspected on August 1, 2019. 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.