Dam Safety Permits
Dam Owner Responsibility
The owner of the land upon which a dam and appurtenant works are constructed is considered the owner of the dam, unless an easement authorizes another person or entity to construct and maintain the dam. The dam owner is responsible for obtaining all necessary local, state and federal permits prior to construction or modification of the dam. The dam owner also is responsible for periodic inspections and any repairs or improvements needed to maintain the dam as permitted.
State Law and Adopted Regulations
Kansas state law requires the Chief Engineer to regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of any dam that is 25 feet or more in height, or six feet or more in height with the ability to store 50 acre-feet or more of water. The Chief Engineer adopted regulations establishing requirements for dam permits, periodic inspections and emergency action plans. Smaller impoundments that do not meet the statutory definition of a dam may still be regulated as a stream obstruction, depending on the watershed area.
Permit Applications
An approved permit must be obtained from the Chief Engineer prior to construction or modification of a dam. Each application for permit must be accompanied by maps, plans, specifications, a design report, the required permit fee and a completed application form. Additional information may be required on a case-by-case basis. Dam permit application fees are $200 prior to construction and $500 if construction has been started without a permit.
Permit application forms are available at the links below:
2-100 Application for Permit (dams, stream obstructions and channel changes)
6-102 Combined Application for Permit (stream obstruction and appropriation of water)
Other Permits"
Other permits may be required, including but not limited to:
Water Appropriation Program permit from the Division of Water Resources
Zoning or development permits from local government
Permit for Stormwater Runoff from KDHE (Phone: 785-296-5545)
Clean Water Act permit from the Corps of Engineers (Phone: 816-389-3990)
Contact Information
Kansas Department of Agriculture
Division of Water Resources
Dam Safety Program
Kim Feldkamp, P.E.
Dam Safety Team Leader
109 SW 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612-1283
785-296-4625 voice
785-296-1176 fax
waterstructures@kda.state.ks.us
