Kelshar Ridge Dam

About Kelshar Ridge Dam

The primary purpose of Kelshar Ridge Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Kelshar Ridge Estates Homeowners & Lake Assn (private). It impounds the Soldier Creek-tr near Topeka.

The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 257 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2013, 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 03/21/2022.

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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