Garrett Dam

Garrett Dam is an earth dam located in Osage County, Kansas. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Garrett Dam

The primary purpose of Garrett Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Garrett, Mike (private). It impounds the Wakarusa River-tr near Wakarusa.

The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 386 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles.

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 09/22/2020.

At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% 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.

High HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateKansas
CountyOsage
Nearest CityWakarusa
River/StreamWakarusa River-tr
Coordinates38.85947, -95.70155

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height32 ft
Dam Height32 ft
Dam Length1,300 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage386 acre-ft
Max Storage386 acre-ft
Normal Storage179 acre-ft
Surface Area27 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
OwnerGARRETT, MIKE
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentPoor
Last Inspection09/22/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDKS01571
Federal IDKS01571
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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