Osawatomie Lake Dam

MARAIS DES CYGNES RIVER-TR· Miami, Kansas· Built 1938· Earth· 33 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Osawatomie Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 81.7% in KS)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage290 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,100 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDKS02506

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

OSAWATOMIE, CITY OF

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Osawatomie Lake Dam?

Osawatomie Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Osawatomie Lake Dam?

Osawatomie Lake Dam is owned by OSAWATOMIE, CITY OF (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Osawatomie Lake Dam built?

Osawatomie Lake Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Osawatomie Lake Dam?

Osawatomie Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Osawatomie Lake Dam?

Osawatomie Lake Dam 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.

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.