HorseThief Reservoir

History

The HorseThief Reservoir is located next to state highway K-156, eight miles west of Jetmore in Hodgeman County, Kansas. 

Right: HorseThief Reservoir.  See additional pictures.

Construction on the 450-acre reservoir began in 2008, and the dam was completed in August 2009.  The reservoir will be a site for recreational activities as well as serve as a flood retention facility.  The project was funded through the Pawnee Watershed District, state cost-share through the State Conservation Commission, and a special sales tax approved in 2005 by voters in Hodgeman, Ford, Finney and Gray counties.   

After less than one year, the lake is more than half full and covers nearly 255 acres.  The tentative opening date for fishing, water recreation and day use only is June 30, 2010.  Camping areas will not be complete until fall 2010.  For more information, visit the History page or the HorseThief Reservoir page. 

Operations Plan 

An operations plan is required under the terms of water right number 37,995 issued for the project by the chief engineer of the Division of Water Resources.  The operations plan ensures that downstream water users are not impaired by the dam’s operation.  A revised operations plan was submitted to address problems with the upstream gage when the lake level is above a 2,420.4 feet and the gage is inundated.

U.S. Geological Survey

Real-time data for:

 Streamflow stations above and below HorseThief Reservoir

Stage level

 HorseThief Reservoir stage measurement
 Stage storage area table