Dam Owner Responsibility
It is the dam owner's responsibility to apply for the necessary permits. All dams are required to have a permit before construction, with the following exceptions:
If your dam is-
less than 25 feet in height, and impounds less than 50 acre-feet of water at the top of the dam, or is less than 6 feet in height, regardless of storage, then you will not need a dam permit.
By state law, the Division of Water Resources is the permitting agent for water structures on all streams in Kansas. The safe operation of a dam proposed for construction is the primary consideration for DWR. The chief engineer approves the dam application, including the plans and specifications. An incomplete application will be returned to the applicant.
1-102 (PDF) For dams only - Combined application for permit - obstructions in streams and appropriation of water for recreational use.
2-100 (PDF) All others, including dams, stream obstructions and channel changes.
1-100 Beneficial Use of Water (PDF)
An application for a dam permit must be accompanied by the following:
Complete maps, plans, profiles and specifications.
Any other data and information that the chief engineer may require.
Required permit fee:
Pre-construction fee $200 OR
Construction in progress fee $500
You may also need additional permits:
Water Rights Permit
Construction Permits from county and local government
Section 404 Permit
Stormwater Run-off Permit, from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Other state permits
Contact Information
Dam Safety Program
Kim Feldkamp, P.E.
Water Structures Engineer
109 SW 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612-1283
(785) 296-4625 voice
(785) 296-4835 fax
waterstructures@kda.state.ks.us