Perry Lake (Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perry Lake |
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Perry Dam
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 Perry Lake
Location in Kansas
Perry Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jefferson County, Kansas |
| Coordinates | 39°10′38″N 95°27′06″W / 39.17722°N 95.45167°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Delaware River |
| Primary outflows | Delaware River |
| Catchment area | 1,117 sq mi (2,890 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Built | 1964 |
| First flooded | January 15, 1969 |
| Max. length | 20 mi (32 km) |
| Surface area | 11,146 acres (45.11 km2) |
| Max. depth | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Water volume | Full: 209,513 acre⋅ft (258,430,000 m3) Current (Jan. 2016): 190,200 acre⋅ft (234,600,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 160 mi (260 km) |
| Surface elevation | Full: 892 ft (272 m) Current (Jan. 2016): 891 ft (272 m) |
| Settlements | Perry, Newman, Ozawkie, Thompsonville, Lakeside Village |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Perry Lake is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) in northeast Kansas. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This lake helps control floods, stores water for nearby towns, and is a popular spot for fun activities.
Perry Lake is about 11,150 acres (45.1 km2) big. It has over 160 miles (260 km) of shoreline, which is like the edge of the lake. When it's full, the water level is about 891.5 feet (271.7 m) above sea level.
You can find Perry Lake about 40 miles (64 km) west of Kansas City. It's also close to Lawrence, Kansas and Topeka, the state capital. Because it's easy to get to, many people visit, and it's even called "Paradise on the Plains"!
Contents
How Perry Lake Was Built
The main reason Perry Lake was built was to stop floods. A large dam was constructed on the Delaware River. This dam helps control the water flow in both the Delaware and Kansas rivers.
The dam was finished in 1966. It's a long dam, about 7,750 feet (2,360 m) long, and it stands 95 feet (29 m) tall above the riverbed. It protects over 1,117 square miles (2,890 km2) of northeast Kansas from flooding.
In 1968, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a deal with the Kansas Parks and Resources Department. This allowed them to create Perry State Park around the lake.
Where is Perry Lake?
Perry Lake is located in northeastern Kansas. It's entirely within Jefferson County. The lake sits in a region called the Dissected Till Plains.
The lake is held back by the Perry Dam at its southern end. The Delaware River flows into the lake from the north and then flows out of it to the south. Other smaller streams like Duck Creek and Slough Creek also feed into the lake.
Several roads are near the lake. U.S. Route 24 runs south of the dam. Kansas Highway 237 goes into Perry State Park. Kansas Highway 92 crosses the northern part of the lake.
Many towns and small communities are located around Perry Lake:
- The town of Perry is just south of the dam.
- Ozawkie is on the western shore at the lake's north end.
- Other small places like Lakeside Village and Thompsonville are also nearby.
Water Levels and Size
The amount of water in Perry Lake changes depending on how much rain falls and how much water flows in. When the lake is full, it covers about 11,146 acres (45.11 km2). At this point, the water level is about 892 feet (272 m) high. The lake holds a huge amount of water, about 209,513 acre-feet (258,430,000 m3).
The deepest part of the lake is about 43 feet (13 m). Over time, some dirt and sand have settled at the bottom of the lake, making it a little shallower in some spots.
Fun Things to Do at Perry Lake
Perry State Park is on the southwest side of Perry Lake. It offers many exciting outdoor activities:
- Boating: You can use all kinds of boats and personal watercraft on Perry Lake. There are no limits on engine power, but you must follow all Kansas boating laws. You'll find three marinas and many boat ramps around the lake.
- Camping: The Army Corps of Engineers has a campground called Slough Creek. It has 265 campsites, some with electricity and water. Perry State Park also has over 100 campsites with full hookups and more than 200 simple campsites. You can even rent cabins!
- Horseback Riding: Perry State Park and the land around the lake have over 25 miles (40 km) of horse trails. You can even camp in certain spots along the trails.
- Fishing: Perry Lake is known as one of America's best bass lakes by Bassmaster.com. Besides white bass and largemouth bass, you can also catch bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, sauger, and walleye.
- Hiking and Biking: There are nine different bike trails, ranging in length and difficulty. The Perry Lake Trail system for hikers is nationally recognized.
