Melvern Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melvern Lake |
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 Melvern Lake
Location in Kansas
Melvern Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Osage County |
| Coordinates | 38°29′23″N 95°47′57″W / 38.4896432°N 95.7992600°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Marais des Cygnes River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Built | 1970 |
| Settlements | Melvern, Olivet, Lyndon, Lebo |
Melvern Lake is a large lake located in Osage County, Kansas. It was created by building a special wall, called a dam, across the Marais des Cygnes River. This lake is a very popular place for outdoor fun like fishing, boating, and camping. It also plays a super important role in helping to control floods in the area.
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Building Melvern Dam
The Melvern Dam is an important structure in Osage County, Kansas. It is an earthen dam, which means it was built mostly from soil and rock. Construction of the dam finished in 1970.
Why the Dam Was Built
The main reason for building Melvern Dam was to control floods. The Marais des Cygnes River was known for its powerful and damaging floods. A very famous flood, called the Great Flood of 1951, caused a lot of trouble. The dam helps to stop such big floods from happening again.
Who Manages the Dam
The dam is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a group that builds and takes care of many important water projects in the United States. They make sure the dam works properly to protect nearby communities.
Dam Size and Features
Melvern Dam is quite large. It stands 188 feet (about 57 meters) high. The top of the dam, called its crest, is 9650 feet (about 2941 meters) long. This long wall holds back the river's water, creating Melvern Lake.
Melvern Lake: A Fun Reservoir
The large body of water created by the dam is called Melvern Lake. A lake created by a dam is also known as a reservoir. The reservoir completely filled up with water in 1975, five years after the dam was finished.
Lake Size and Capacity
Melvern Lake covers a big area. Its water surface is about 10.8 square miles (about 28 square kilometers). The lake can hold a lot of water. Its maximum capacity is 363,000 acre-feet of water. However, it usually holds around 154,000 acre-feet for everyday use.
Activities at the Lake
Melvern Lake is a fantastic place for many outdoor activities. You can enjoy:
- Fishing: Catching different kinds of fish.
- Hunting: In designated areas around the lake.
- Boating: Taking boats out on the water.
- Camping: Staying overnight in tents or RVs.
Parks Around the Lake
There are five parks right around Melvern Lake where you can enjoy these activities:
- Outlet Park
- Arrow Rock Park
- Coeur d'Alene Park
- Turkey Point Park
- Sun Dance Park
You can also visit Eisenhower State Park, which is right next to Melvern Lake. It offers even more space for outdoor adventures.
