Marion Dam

COTTONWOOD RIVER· Marion, Kansas· Built 1968· Gravity· 67 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Other Recreation Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Marion Dam is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 67 ft (taller than 99.3% in KS)
Dam Length8,375 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage189.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage80.7K acre-ft
Surface Area6,210 acres
Drainage Area200 sq mi
Max Discharge132,000 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDKS00006

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: June 25, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Tulsa District

Federal Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Marion Dam?

Marion Dam 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 Marion Dam?

Marion Dam is owned by USACE - Tulsa District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Marion Dam built?

Marion Dam was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Marion Dam?

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

How tall is Marion Dam?

Marion Dam has a dam height of 67 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 Marion Dam last inspected?

Marion Dam was last inspected on June 25, 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.