Smith Lake

Trib Missouri River· Leavenworth, Kansas· Built 1942· Earth· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Smith Lake is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 34.2% in KS)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage52 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area100 sq mi
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
Year Modified2005
NID IDKS04077

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 18, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Fort Leavenworth

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Smith Lake?

Smith Lake 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 Smith Lake?

Smith Lake is owned by Fort Leavenworth (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Smith Lake built?

Smith Lake was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Smith Lake?

Smith Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Smith Lake?

Smith Lake 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 Smith Lake last inspected?

Smith Lake was last inspected on May 18, 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.