El Dorado Dam, also known as El Dorado Lake, is a Federal-owned structure located in Butler, Kansas. Completed in 1981, this earth dam stands at a height of 99 feet and has a storage capacity of 246,882 acre-feet, serving primary purposes such as flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply. The dam, situated on the Walnut River, covers a surface area of 8,400 acres and has a maximum discharge capacity of 120,800 cubic feet per second.

Despite being classified as a high hazard potential dam, El Dorado Dam is well-managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through various risk management measures. These include regular inspections, emergency exercises with local responders, and a detailed communication plan to ensure the safety of downstream communities in the event of a dam failure. USACE also conducts operations and maintenance activities to uphold the integrity of the structure, with a robust instrumentation and monitoring program in place to monitor changing conditions.

In 2015, a risk assessment conducted by USACE determined the overall risk associated with the dam as low, with potential hazards including water flow through foundation rock and embankment erosion. While the dam poses risks to towns like El Dorado and Augusta in the event of a failure, mitigation efforts and operational protocols are in place to manage these risks effectively. With a focus on safety and community protection, El Dorado Dam stands as a vital piece of infrastructure in the region's water resource and climate management efforts.