Nemaha CO State Lake

SOUTH FORK BIG NEMAHA RIVER· Nemaha, Kansas· Built 1987· 43 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Nemaha CO State Lake is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 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 43 ft (taller than 94.8% in KS)
Dam Length2,000 ft
Max Storage8.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Drainage Area31 sq mi
Max Discharge28,761 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDKS00886

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: January 21, 2005
State Regulated: No
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

KANSAS DEPT OF WILDLIFE PARKS & TOURISM

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nemaha CO State Lake?

Nemaha CO State 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 Nemaha CO State Lake?

Nemaha CO State Lake is owned by KANSAS DEPT OF WILDLIFE PARKS & TOURISM (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nemaha CO State Lake built?

Nemaha CO State Lake was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 Nemaha CO State Lake?

Nemaha CO State 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 Nemaha CO State Lake?

Nemaha CO State Lake has a dam height of 43 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 Nemaha CO State Lake last inspected?

Nemaha CO State Lake was last inspected on January 21, 2005. 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.