Keith Sebelius Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keith Sebelius Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Keith Sebelius Lake
Location in Kansas
Keith Sebelius Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
|
|
| Location | Norton County, Kansas |
| Coordinates | 39°48′15″N 99°55′55″W / 39.80417°N 99.93194°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Prairie Dog Creek |
| Primary outflows | Prairie Dog Creek |
| Catchment area | 715 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation |
| Built | December 1961 |
| First flooded | October 1964 |
| Max. length | 9.5 miles (15.3 km) |
| Surface area | 2,181 acres (8.83 km2) |
| Max. depth | 42 feet (13 m) |
| Water volume | Full: 34,510 acre⋅ft (42,570,000 m3) Current (Nov. 2015): 8,996 acre⋅ft (11,096,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 32 miles (51 km) |
| Surface elevation | Full: 2,304 ft (702 m) Current (Nov. 2015): 2,287 ft (697 m) |
| Settlements | Norton |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Keith Sebelius Lake, once called Norton Reservoir, is a large, man-made lake in northwest Kansas. It was built on Prairie Dog Creek. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built and manages this lake. It helps control floods, provides water for farms, and is a fun place for recreation. It also supplies water to local towns. Prairie Dog State Park is right on its shore.
Contents
History of Keith Sebelius Lake
Why the Lake Was Built
In 1935, a big flood hit the Republican River and its smaller streams, including Prairie Dog Creek. This flood caused a lot of damage. Because of this, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation decided to build a dam on Prairie Dog Creek. This dam would help control future floods.
Building the Dam and Lake
The plan to build a reservoir was approved in 1944 and authorized in 1946. Construction of the dam, called Norton Dam, began in December 1961. Water started to fill the lake in October 1964.
Water for the Community
The nearby town of Norton, Kansas made a deal with the U.S. government in 1958. They arranged to receive a certain amount of water from the lake each year. By September 1965, Norton began using the lake as its main water source.
Renaming the Lake
In 1981, the U.S. Congress decided to rename the lake. They named it Keith Sebelius Lake. This was to honor Keith Sebelius, who was a U.S. Representative from Norton. He had recently retired.
Geography of the Lake Area
Where is Keith Sebelius Lake?
Keith Sebelius Lake is located in northwest Kansas. It sits in the High Plains part of the Great Plains. The entire lake is within Norton County. Its elevation is about 2,306 feet (703 m) above sea level.
Water Flow and Nearby Roads
The lake is held back by Norton Dam at its northeast end. Prairie Dog Creek flows into the lake from the southwest. It also flows out of the lake to the northeast.
Major roads like U.S. Route 36 and Kansas Highway 383 run north of the lake. Kansas Highway 261 connects these roads to Prairie Dog State Park. The city of Norton is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) northeast of the lake.
Lake Water Levels and Size
How the Lake Changes
The amount of water in Keith Sebelius Lake changes. This depends on how much rain falls and how much water flows into it. When the lake is full, it covers about 2,181 acres (8.83 km2). At this level, its surface is about 2,304 feet (702 m) high. The lake holds about 34,510 acre-feet (42,570,000 m3) of water when full.
Maximum Capacity
If the lake fills to its very top, it can cover 6,713 acres (27.17 km2). At this point, the water surface would be about 2,341 feet (714 m) high. It would hold a huge 192,027 acre-feet (236,862,000 m3) of water.
Norton Dam: The Lake's Structure
What is Norton Dam?
Norton Dam is a large wall made of earth and rock. It holds back the water of Keith Sebelius Lake. The dam is 151 feet (46 m) tall and 6,450 feet (1,970 m) long. Its top is about 2,347 feet (715 m) above sea level.
How the Dam Works
The dam has a special gate system called a spillway. This spillway helps control how much water leaves the lake. There are also outlets that release water into Prairie Dog Creek. These outlets also send water to the city of Norton for drinking.
Managing Keith Sebelius Lake
Who Takes Care of the Lake?
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is in charge of maintaining the lake and Norton Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helps manage the water to prevent floods.
Other Managers
Farmers use some of the lake's water for irrigation. This water is managed by the Almena Irrigation District No. 5. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWP) manages the lake's surface. They also manage about 6,500 acres (26 km2) of land around it. This area is known as the Norton Wildlife Area.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Prairie Dog State Park
The KDWP runs the 1,150-acre (4.7 km2) Prairie Dog State Park. It is located on the north side of the lake. The park has many things for visitors to enjoy. You can find boat ramps, places to camp, a hiking trail, and a swimming beach.
Activities at the Lake
Keith Sebelius Lake is a great spot for fishing all year round. You can also go hunting on the public land around the lake. However, some areas have hunting restrictions.
Interesting Places to See
Inside Prairie Dog State Park, you can visit two old buildings. One is a one-room schoolhouse from the 1800s. The other is the last original adobe house still standing in Kansas. The park also has a growing town of prairie dogs, which are fun to watch!
Wildlife at Keith Sebelius Lake
Fish in the Lake
Many kinds of fish live in Keith Sebelius Lake. These include bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, and flathead catfish. You can also find largemouth bass, saugeye, spotted bass, walleye, and wiper.
Animals Around the Lake
The land around the lake is home to various animals. You might see mule deer, ducks, quail, cottontail rabbits, turkeys, and white-tailed deer. The area around the lake is mostly covered in shortgrass prairie.
