Map of All 6,477 Kansas Dams
Kansas has 6,477 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 328 are classified as high hazard (5% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 75 Kansas dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Kansas dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Kansas to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Kansas Dams by the Numbers
- 6,477 total dams in Kansas
- 328 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 176 significant hazard
- 5,888 low hazard
- 120 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (116 poor, 4 unsatisfactory)
- 75 Kansas dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Kansas
The tallest dam in Kansas is Cedar Bluff Dam at 202 feet, completed in 1951. The 10 tallest Kansas dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Bluff Dam | 202 ft | 1951 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Trego |
| Gs Dd No C-127 | 169 ft | 1996 | Flood Risk Reduction | – | Jackson |
| Kirwin Dam | 169 ft | 1955 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Phillips |
| Tuttle Creek Dam | 157 ft | 1960 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Pottawatomie |
| Tuttle Creek Dam – Blue Rapids Levee | 157 ft | 1963 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Marshall |
| Webster Dam | 154 ft | 1956 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Rooks |
| Wilson Dam | 152 ft | 1964 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Russell |
| Milford Dam | 147 ft | 1966 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Geary |
| Glen Elder Cawker City Dike | 142 ft | 1969 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Mitchell |
| Glen Elder Dam | 142 ft | 1969 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Mitchell |
High-Hazard Kansas Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 75 dams in Kansas. Notable examples:
- Cooling Lake Dam – Wolf Creek Unit 1 (82 ft, Coffey County) — Other, Poor condition
- Dam No 4 (68 ft, Linn County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Lake Sherwood (68 ft, Shawnee County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Dam No 1 (67 ft, Linn County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Lake Estates Dam No 2 (65 ft, Linn County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Kansas
Dam safety in Kansas is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Kansas?
Kansas has 6,477 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 328 high hazard, 176 significant hazard, and 5,888 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Kansas?
The tallest dam in Kansas is Cedar Bluff Dam at 202 feet, completed in 1951. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Kansas dams are in poor condition?
120 Kansas dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 75 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
