KANSAS RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 22, 2025

As of December 22, 2025, the latest observations of Kansas' reservoirs indicate that water surface elevations are generally close to their respective averages, with minor fluctuations. For example, Milford Lake near Junction City shows a current elevation of 1143 feet, which is slightly below its average of 1145.26 feet. Similarly, Cedar Bluff Reservoir near Ellis is at 2120 feet, modestly lower than its average of 2125.24 feet. Notable among the reservoirs, Cheney Reservoir near Cheney stands above its average, with a current elevation of 1422 feet compared to the average of 1420.68 feet. These levels suggest that the reservoirs are maintaining near-normal storage levels for the season, which could be indicative of stable river inflows and potentially consistent precipitation patterns in the region.

Diving deeper into specific cases, Kanopolis Lake, Wilson Lake, and Tuttle Creek Lake all register slight decreases from their average elevations, which might suggest lower than expected inflows or higher water usage. However, the deviations are small and might not signify any immediate concerns. In contrast, the slight increase in Cheney Reservoir could be due to recent local precipitation events or reduced outflows. It's important to cross-reference these findings with additional data such as snowpack conditions, river flow rates, and precipitation records to understand the broader climatic influences. Variations in water surface elevation could be related to a range of factors, including seasonal weather patterns, water management practices, or long-term trends such as climate change. Nevertheless, the current data implies that Kansas' major dams and reservoirs are not experiencing any extreme abnormal conditions at the time of observation.

Kansas has 24 major reservoirs, many of which were created by dams on streams such as the Arkansas, Smoky Hill, and Republican Rivers. The largest reservoirs are Tuttle Creek, Milford Lake, and Cheney Lake. Snowpack and mountains are not significant factors in Kansas hydrology, as the state is relatively flat. Kansas has experienced drought conditions in recent years, with some reservoirs reaching record low levels. In general, seasonal trends see higher water levels in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt and spring rains, with levels decreasing in the late summer and fall. Management of reservoirs and dams is crucial for both water supply and flood control in the state.

Kansas has 24 major reservoirs, many of which were created by dams on streams such as the Arkansas, Smoky Hill, and Republican Rivers. The largest reservoirs are Tuttle Creek, Milford Lake, and Cheney Lake. Snowpack and mountains are not significant factors in Kansas hydrology, as the state is relatively flat. Kansas has experienced drought conditions in recent years, with some reservoirs reaching record low levels. In general, seasonal trends see higher water levels in the spring and early summer due to snowmelt and spring rains, with levels decreasing in the late summer and fall. Management of reservoirs and dams is crucial for both water supply and flood control in the state.