Lower West Lake Dam, located in Pleasanton, Kansas, is a vital structure managed by the local government with oversight from the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Built in 1904, this Earth dam primarily serves for recreation purposes, offering a serene water body for visitors to enjoy. With a height of 14 feet and a storage capacity of 209.5 acre-feet, the dam spans 1650 feet along Muddy Creek-TR, covering a surface area of 16.3 acres within a drainage area of 2.08 square miles.

Despite its fair condition assessment, Lower West Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential, necessitating a thorough inspection frequency of three years. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 250 feet, capable of discharging up to 6200 cubic feet per second in case of overflow. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, the dam's emergency action plan status and inundation maps preparedness are unclear, raising concerns about the readiness for potential emergencies.

Overall, Lower West Lake Dam stands as a historic yet essential structure for both recreational and water resource purposes in Linn County, Kansas. Its critical role in providing leisure activities to the community underscores the importance of regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of this significant water management asset.