Watson Lake Dam

WOLF CREEK-TR· Johnson, Kansas· Built 1986· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Watson Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 16.5% in KS)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage76 acre-ft
Normal Storage39 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge182 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDKS07298

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: No
Regulatory Agency: KS Dept. of Agriculture

Ownership

OLDCO INVESTMENTS (TOM WATSON)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson Lake Dam?

Watson 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 Watson Lake Dam?

Watson Lake Dam is owned by OLDCO INVESTMENTS (TOM WATSON) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watson Lake Dam built?

Watson Lake Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Watson Lake Dam?

Watson Lake Dam 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 Watson Lake Dam?

Watson Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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.