History of Kanopolis Dam

Kanopolis Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938. Construction of the project began on 8 June 1940. Diversion of the river through the tunnel was made on 29 July 1946. Storage of water in the lake began on 17 February 1948. Kanopolis Lake is a multi-purpose project with storage allocated for flood control, water supply, water quality and recreation.

The project is operated in combination with other reservoirs in the Missouri River basin for flood control and the State of Kansas for water supply. In addition to flood control, the dam serves to increase the low-water flow of the Smoky Hill and Kansas River to provide for domestic water supply and to alleviate stream pollution. The lake also has been developed for recreational activities. The project's fish and wildlife resource management programs are coordinated with the Kansas Wildlife and Parks. The dam consists of a rolled earthfill embankment; uncontrolled spillway just beyond the right abutment; and an outlet works with intake tower, gated 14 foot tunnel and stilling basin.

Travelers through time on the Smoky Hill River Valley