Wright Bros. Dam

PAWNEE RIVER· Finney, Kansas· Built 1935· 33 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wright Bros. Dam is classified as low hazard in Kansas. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 81.7% in KS)
Max Storage473 acre-ft
Normal Storage369 acre-ft
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDKS00693

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

WRIGHT BROTHERS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wright Bros. Dam?

Wright Bros. 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 Wright Bros. Dam?

Wright Bros. Dam is owned by WRIGHT BROTHERS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wright Bros. Dam built?

Wright Bros. 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.

What is the primary purpose of Wright Bros. Dam?

Wright Bros. Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wright Bros. Dam?

Wright Bros. 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.