Santa Fe Lake Dam

DRY CREEK· Butler, Kansas· Built 1927· Earth· 38 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Santa Fe Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1927 and is 99 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 38 ft (taller than 90.5% in KS)
Dam Length1,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Drainage Area37 sq mi
Max Discharge24,150 cfs
Year Completed1927 (99 years old)
NID IDKS00310

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: March 10, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

AUGUSTA, CITY OF

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santa Fe Lake Dam?

Santa Fe Lake 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 Santa Fe Lake Dam?

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

When was Santa Fe Lake Dam built?

Santa Fe Lake Dam was completed in 1927, making it 99 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 Santa Fe Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Santa Fe Lake Dam?

Santa Fe Lake Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Santa Fe Lake Dam last inspected?

Santa Fe Lake Dam was last inspected on March 10, 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.