Critzer Dam

About Critzer Dam

The primary purpose of Critzer Dam 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 Marais Des Cygnes Pwwsd No 13 (local government). It impounds the North Fork Little Sugar Creek near Critzer.

The dam stands 72 feet tall and stretches 1,696 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 212 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,464 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 2006, the structure is relatively new.

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 01/10/2023.

At 72 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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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