List of lakes, reservoirs, and dams in Kansas facts for kids
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.
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Kansas's Biggest Lakes and Reservoirs
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.
- Big Hill Lake
- Clinton Lake
- Council Grove Lake
- El Dorado Lake
- Elk City Lake
- Fall River Lake
- Hillsdale Lake
- John Redmond Reservoir
- Kanopolis Lake
- Marion Reservoir
- Melvern Lake
- Milford Lake
- Perry Lake
- Pomona Lake
- Toronto Lake
- Tuttle Creek Lake
- Wilson Lake
- Wabaunsee Lake
Reservoirs Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation
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.
- Cedar Bluff Reservoir
- Cheney Reservoir
- Keith Sebelius Lake
- Kirwin Reservoir
- Lovewell Reservoir
- Waconda Lake
- Webster Reservoir
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.
- Farlington Lake
- Jamestown Lake
- Neosho State Fishing Lake (also known as Lake McKinley)
Reservoirs Managed by Other Groups
Some lakes are managed by other organizations or local groups.
