Lake Parsons Dam
Lake Parsons Dam is an earth dam located in Neosho County, Kansas, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Parsons Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Parsons Dam 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 Parsons, City Of (local government). It impounds the Labette Creek near Parsons.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 5,650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 980 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 38,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1959, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/01/2022.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Kansas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Kansas |
| County | Neosho |
| Nearest City | Parsons |
| River/Stream | Labette Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.39768, -95.33286 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Length | 5,650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 38,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 38,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10,050 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 980 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | PARSONS, CITY OF |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/01/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KS02514 |
| Federal ID | KS02514 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |