Expanded Kansas River Hydropower
Expanded Kansas River Hydropower is a gravity dam located in Douglas County, Kansas, built in 1874. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Expanded Kansas River Hydropower
The primary purpose of Expanded Kansas River Hydropower is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bowersock Mills And Power Company (private). It impounds the Kansas River near Lawrence.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 880 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 400 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 58,420 square miles. Completed in 1874, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 05/03/2018.
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Location
| State | Kansas |
| County | Douglas |
| Nearest City | Lawrence |
| River/Stream | Kansas River |
| Coordinates | 38.97377, -95.23510 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 880 ft |
| Year Completed | 1874 (152 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 400 acres |
| Drainage Area | 58,420 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Bowersock Mills and Power Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/03/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KS00033 |
| Federal ID | KS00033 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |