Sappa Lake Dam

SAPPA CREEK· Decatur, Kansas· Built 1935· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sappa Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 34.2% in KS)
Dam Length440 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage807 acre-ft
Drainage Area1,132 sq mi
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDKS02467

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
Last Inspection: July 16, 1997
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

OBERLIN, CITY OF

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sappa Lake Dam?

Sappa 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 Sappa Lake Dam?

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

When was Sappa Lake Dam built?

Sappa Lake Dam was completed in 1935, making it 91 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Sappa Lake Dam?

Sappa Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Sappa Lake Dam last inspected?

Sappa Lake Dam was last inspected on July 16, 1997. 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.