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List of lakes, reservoirs, and dams in Kansas facts for kids

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Kansas rivers and lakes
Lakes and rivers in Kansas

Kansas might be known for its wide-open prairies, but it's also home to many beautiful lakes, reservoirs, and dams! These water bodies are super important for the state. They provide places for fun activities like swimming, fishing, and boating. They also help manage water, store it for when it's needed, and prevent floods.

Kansas's Biggest Lakes and Reservoirs

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Tuttle Creek Dam and Lake
USACE Wilson Dam Kansas
Wilson Dam and Lake
Quivirabirds
Birds on one of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge's salt marshes.
Lake inman 1006
Lake Inman is the largest natural lake in Kansas.

Many of Kansas's lakes have shorelines that are owned by the government. This means they are open to everyone! You can visit these areas for exciting outdoor activities. Think about hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. Large public lands often surround these lakes, giving you lots of space to explore.

Here's a look at some of the largest lakes and reservoirs in Kansas, based on their size:

Name Water Storage (acre feet) Surface Area (acres) Deepest Point Fun Facts
Milford Lake 351,577 15,709 acres (6,357 ha) 65 feet (20 m) 21,000 acres (8,500 ha) of land for recreation
Tuttle Creek Lake 253,265 12,500 acres (5,059 ha) 50 feet (15 m) 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) of land for recreation
Waconda Lake (Glen Elder Dam) 241,460 12,586 acres (5,093 ha) 45 feet (14 m) 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) of land for recreation
Wilson Lake 235,000 9,020 acres (3,650 ha) 65 feet (20 m) 8,120 acres (3,290 ha) of land for recreation, known as the clearest lake in Kansas
Perry Lake 209,513 11,150 acres (4,512 ha) 55 feet (17 m) 21,600 acres (8,700 ha) of land for recreation
Cheney Reservoir 168,000 9,537 acres (3,859 ha) 49 feet (15 m) 7,412 acres (3,000 ha) of land for recreation
El Dorado Lake 153,444 8,000 acres (3,237 ha) 51 feet (16 m) 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of land for recreation, great for trout fishing in winter
Melvern Lake 151,256 6,930 acres (2,804 ha) 60 feet (18 m) 17,244 acres (6,978 ha) of land for recreation
Clinton Lake 110,400 7,000 acres (2,833 ha) 55 feet (17 m) 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) of land for recreation
Marion Reservoir 80,669 6,200 acres (2,509 ha) 37 feet (11 m) 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) of land for recreation
Cedar Bluff Reservoir 79,252 6,869 acres (2,780 ha) 55 feet (17 m) 5,668 acres (2,294 ha) of land for recreation
Hillsdale Lake 76,300 4,575 acres (1,851 ha) 57 feet (17 m) 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of land for recreation
Pomona Lake 70,600 4,060 acres (1,643 ha) 50 feet (15 m) 10,500 acres (4,200 ha) of land for recreation
Kirwin Reservoir 67,268 5,079 acres (2,055 ha) 49 feet (15 m) This lake is the main feature of the 10,778 acres (4,362 ha) Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge
Kanopolis Lake 50,273 3,406 acres (1,378 ha) 35 feet (11 m) 12,500 acres (5,100 ha) of land for recreation
John Redmond Reservoir 50,040 9,400 acres (3,804 ha) 12 feet (3.7 m) 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) of land for recreation
Council Grove Lake 43,984 3,310 acres (1,340 ha) 56 feet (17 m) 2,638 acres (1,068 ha) of land for recreation
Webster Reservoir 37,926 3,740 acres (1,514 ha) 42 feet (13 m) 3,164 acres (1,280 ha) of land for recreation
Elk City Lake 37,422 4,450 acres (1,801 ha) 24 feet (7.3 m) 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) of land for recreation
Keith Sebelius Reservoir 35,935 2,181 acres (883 ha) 42 feet (13 m) 5,668 acres (2,294 ha) of land for recreation
Big Hill Lake 23,361 1,240 acres (502 ha) 60 feet (18 m) 1,280 acres (520 ha) of land for recreation; has a 17-mile (27 km) horse trail
Fall River Lake 20,690 2,450 acres (991 ha) 30 feet (9.1 m) 20,100 acres (8,100 ha) of land for recreation, including the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
Toronto Lake 16,528 2,800 acres (1,133 ha) 45 feet (14 m) 5,775 acres (2,337 ha) of land for recreation
Lovewell Reservoir 15,284 2,986 acres (1,208 ha) 35 feet (11 m) 2,229 acres (902 ha) of land for recreation
Centralia Lake 400 acres (162 ha) 25 feet (7.6 m) 560 acres (230 ha) of land for recreation

Natural Lakes in Kansas

Not all lakes are made by people! Kansas has a few natural lakes too. These are formed by nature, often over many years.

  • Cheyenne Bottoms: This is a huge wetland and marsh area, covering 15,500 acres (6,300 ha) within a 41,000 acres (17,000 ha) lowland. It's a very important spot for birds and wildlife.
  • Lake Inman: This is the largest natural lake in Kansas.
  • Lake View Lake
  • Quivira National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge includes 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) of wetlands and marshes within its 22,135 acres (8,958 ha) total area. It's another key place for wildlife.

Man-Made Lakes and Reservoirs

Most of the large lakes in Kansas are actually "reservoirs." This means they are man-made lakes, created by building a dam across a river. These dams help control water flow, prevent floods, and store water for drinking, farming, and recreation. Different groups manage these important water bodies.

Lakes Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a big part of the U.S. Army that works on engineering projects for the country. They manage many of Kansas's large reservoirs.

Reservoirs Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation

Kansas Lakes -- Bureau of Reclamation
A map showing location of Bureau of Reclamation lakes in Kansas.

The United States Bureau of Reclamation is another government agency. They focus on managing water resources, especially in the western U.S. They build and operate dams, power plants, and canals.

Reservoirs Managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) works to protect and manage Kansas's wildlife and natural areas. They also oversee some lakes, often called "State Fishing Lakes," which are great for fishing and other outdoor fun.

Reservoirs Managed by Other Groups

Some lakes are managed by other organizations or local groups.

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List of lakes, reservoirs, and dams in Kansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.