Wilson County State Lake dam
Wilson County State Lake
Wilson County State Lake, located in Roper, Kansas, is a state-owned reservoir situated along the Woodruff Branch of Buffalo Creek. Built in 1955 by the State Highway Commission, this Earth-type dam stands at 55 feet high and spans 1800 feet, providing a surface area of 119 acres for recreational activities and wildlife habitat. With a normal storage capacity of 1935 acre-feet and a drainage area of 10.61 square miles, the lake offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Wilson County State Lake is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure safety and environmental compliance. The dam, with a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment, undergoes regular inspections every 3 years to maintain its structural integrity. Despite the absence of associated structures or federal agency involvement, the reservoir serves as a vital fish and wildlife pond for the local community, attracting outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of Wilson County.
With its serene location and diverse ecosystem, Wilson County State Lake remains a popular destination for fishing, boating, and nature appreciation in Kansas. As the state's primary source agency for dam management, the Kansas Department of Agriculture oversees the operations and maintenance of this essential water resource. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or climate-conscious individual, a visit to Wilson County State Lake promises a rewarding experience surrounded by the beauty of nature and the conservation efforts that sustain it.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Wilson County State Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Verdigris R Nr Altoona | 211 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Fredonia | 106 cfs | → |
| Neosho R Nr Iola | 2,110 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R Nr Virgil | 285 cfs | → |
| Otter C At Climax | 22 cfs | → |
| Verdigris R At Independence | 810 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson County State Lake.
Track Wilson County State Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Wilson County State Lake
Where does the data for Wilson County State Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Wilson County State Lake.