Multiple Purpose Dam #6

About Multiple Purpose Dam #6

The primary purpose of Multiple Purpose Dam #6 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Herington, City Of (local government). It impounds the Lyon Creek near Lyona.

The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 2,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 546 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,074 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 24 square miles. Completed in 1982, the structure is 44 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/30/2021.

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.

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