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| ==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
| Wilson Lake is located at {{Coord|38|56|25|N|98|33|24|W|type:city}} (38.9401464, -98.5567638) at an elevation of {{convert|1516|ft|m}}.<ref name=gnis/> It lies in north-central ] in the ] region of the ]. The ] is both the reservoir's primary inflow and outflow.<ref name=KDOT>{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | url = http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> Smaller tributaries include Elm Creek, which flows from the south into the western part of the reservoir, and Hell Creek, which feeds the reservoir's southeastern arm. Most of Wilson Lake lies in ] with a small portion of its southeastern arm extending into ].<ref name=Russell>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Russell County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | date = October 2010 | url = https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-dgn/russell.JPG | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref><ref name=Lincoln>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Lincoln County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | date = May 2011 | url = https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-dgn/lincoln.JPG | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> | Wilson Lake is located at {{Coord|38|56|25|N|98|33|24|W|type:city}} (38.9401464, -98.5567638) at an elevation of {{convert|1516|ft|m}}.<ref name=gnis/> It lies in north-central ] in the ] region of the ]. The ] is both the reservoir's primary inflow from the west and outflow to the east.<ref name=KDOT>{{cite web | title = 2003-2004 Official Transportation Map | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | url = http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/HistoricStateMaps/2003-04Mapside.pdf | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> Smaller tributaries include Elm Creek, which flows from the south into the western part of the reservoir, and Hell Creek, which feeds the reservoir's southeastern arm. Most of Wilson Lake lies in ] with a small portion of its southeastern arm extending into ].<ref name=Russell>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Russell County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | date = October 2010 | url = https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-dgn/russell.JPG | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref><ref name=Lincoln>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Lincoln County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Department of Transportation | date = May 2011 | url = https://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/burTransPlan/maps/county-dgn/lincoln.JPG | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> | ||
| The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by '''Wilson Dam'''. The dam is located at {{Coord|38|58|00|N|98|29|41|W|type:city}} (38.9666777, -98.4947876) at an elevation of {{convert|1588|ft|m}}.<ref name=DamGNIS>{{cite gnis | 475231 | Wilson Dam | 2015-09-23}}</ref> An earth-fill ] with a foundation of rock and soil, it stands {{convert|130|ft|m}} tall and {{convert|5600|ft|m}} long. It includes an uncontrolled ] with slide gates at {{convert|450|ft|m}}.<ref name=KBS>{{cite web | title = Bathymetric and Sediment Survey of Wilson Lake Reservoir, Russell County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Biological Survey | date = May 2009 | url = http://www.kwo.org/projects_programs/wilsonlake/wilson_final_report_revised_jan2010.pdf | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref><ref name=KWO>{{cite web | title = Wilson Lake Reallocation Study | publisher = Kansas Water Office | url = http://www.kwo.org/projects_programs/Wilson_Lake_Reallocation_Study.html | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> | The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by '''Wilson Dam'''. The dam is located at {{Coord|38|58|00|N|98|29|41|W|type:city}} (38.9666777, -98.4947876) at an elevation of {{convert|1588|ft|m}}.<ref name=DamGNIS>{{cite gnis | 475231 | Wilson Dam | 2015-09-23}}</ref> An earth-fill ] with a foundation of rock and soil, it stands {{convert|130|ft|m}} tall and {{convert|5600|ft|m}} long. It includes an uncontrolled ] with slide gates at {{convert|450|ft|m}}.<ref name=KBS>{{cite web | title = Bathymetric and Sediment Survey of Wilson Lake Reservoir, Russell County, Kansas | publisher = Kansas Biological Survey | date = May 2009 | url = http://www.kwo.org/projects_programs/wilsonlake/wilson_final_report_revised_jan2010.pdf | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref><ref name=KWO>{{cite web | title = Wilson Lake Reallocation Study | publisher = Kansas Water Office | url = http://www.kwo.org/projects_programs/Wilson_Lake_Reallocation_Study.html | accessdate = 2015-09-23}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 17:32, 28 September 2015
Reservoir in Russell and Lincoln counties in Kansas| Wilson Lake | |
|---|---|
 Wilson Dam | |
 KDOT map of Russell County (legend) | |
| Location | Russell and Lincoln counties in Kansas |
| Coordinates | 38°56′25″N 98°33′24″W / 38.94028°N 98.55667°W / 38.94028; -98.55667 |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Saline River |
| Primary outflows | Saline River |
| Catchment area | 1,917 sq mi (4,970 km) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Built | April 1961 (1961-04) |
| First flooded | December 29, 1964 (1964-12-29) |
| Surface area | 9,040 acres (36.6 km) |
| Max. depth | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Water volume | Current: 237,800 acre⋅ft (0.2933 km) Maximum: 736,000 acre⋅ft (0.908 km) |
| Shore length | 100 mi (160 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,516 ft (462 m) |
| Settlements | Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Wilson |
| References | |
| Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Wilson Lake is a reservoir in the U.S. state of Kansas, on the border of Russell County and Lincoln County.
History
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation authorized construction of Wilson Lake for the purposes of irrigation, navigation enhancement, flood control, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and water quality assurance. However, the salinity of the water in the Saline River, which would feed the reservoir, made using it for irrigation unfeasible. The Bureau then turned over management and operation of the project to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers planned, designed, and constructed Wilson Dam, completing it in 1964 at a cost of $20 million, and continues to manage the reservoir to the present day.
Geography
Wilson Lake is located at 38°56′25″N 98°33′24″W / 38.94028°N 98.55667°W / 38.94028; -98.55667 (38.9401464, -98.5567638) at an elevation of 1,516 feet (462 m). It lies in north-central Kansas in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains. The Saline River is both the reservoir's primary inflow from the west and outflow to the east. Smaller tributaries include Elm Creek, which flows from the south into the western part of the reservoir, and Hell Creek, which feeds the reservoir's southeastern arm. Most of Wilson Lake lies in Russell County with a small portion of its southeastern arm extending into Lincoln County.
The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by Wilson Dam. The dam is located at 38°58′00″N 98°29′41″W / 38.96667°N 98.49472°W / 38.96667; -98.49472 (38.9666777, -98.4947876) at an elevation of 1,588 feet (484 m). An earth-fill embankment dam with a foundation of rock and soil, it stands 130 feet (40 m) tall and 5,600 feet (1,700 m) long. It includes an uncontrolled spillway with slide gates at 450 feet (140 m).
Kansas Highway 232 runs generally north-south along the reservoir's eastern shore and across the top of Wilson Dam. Shoreline Road, a paved county road, runs generally east-west parallel to the southern shore, crossing the reservoir's southeastern arm.
Management
The Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages Wilson Dam, Wilson Lake, and 13,000 acres (53 km) of land surrounding the reservoir for the purposes of flood control, recreation, fish and wildlife management, and downstream water quality improvement. Corps staff maintain the dam and outlet works, conduct dam safety inspections, and make water release changes to the Saline River outflow in accordance with the Kansas City Water District Control Section. They also provide visitor assistance, conduct park maintenance and patrolling, and perform wildlife food plot management. Operations such as trash removal, fee collection, and facility cleaning are outsourced to private contractors.
Of the land surrounding Wilson Lake, the Corps directly manages 3,200 acres (13 km) and has licensed the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWP) to manage 8,000 acres (32 km) of native prairie and cropland for wildlife. Management activities include prescribed burning, tree and native grass plantings, invasive species control, and agricultural leases.
The Corps also conducts fisheries management including fish sampling and stocking, population monitoring, habitat work, and aquatic vegetation enhancement.
Parks and recreation
The Corps of Engineers manages three parks at Wilson Lake: Lucas Park, Minooka Park, and Sylvan Park. Lucas Park is located on the north shore of the reservoir's eastern end and includes the Rocktown Natural Area. Minooka Park, named after the Otoe word for "good earth", lies on the south shore of the central part of the reservoir. Sylvan Park lies below Wilson Dam immediately northeast of the reservoir. Both Lucas Park and Minooka Park host swimming beaches and boat ramps. All three parks include hiking trails and camping facilities. The Corps of Engineers also operates a Visitor Center located below Wilson Dam near Sylvan Park.
The KDWP operates Wilson State Park located on the south shore of the reservoir's eastern end. The park is divided into two areas by the reservoir's southeastern arm: the Hell Creek Area on the west side and the Otoe Area on the east side. The Hell Creek Area hosts a marina. Both areas include hiking trails, swimming beaches, boat ramps, and camping facilities.
Wilson Lake is open to sport fishing. Hunting is permitted on the public land around the reservoir although it is restricted in certain areas.
Points of interest
Rocktown Natural Area is a site comprising 305 acres (1.23 km) in Lucas Park. It is named for the sandstone pillars, ranging in height from 15 feet (4.6 m) to 30 feet (9.1 m), that occupy its landscape. It is also home to a number of plant species uncommon to the region: Fremont's clematis, shortstem spiderwort, and Maryland senna among others.
Portions of the Dakota Formation are exposed in multiple locations around the reservoir. They contain extensive fossil material dating back to the Cretaceous era.
Wildlife
Fish species resident in Wilson Lake include smallmouth bass, striped bass, and walleye. Two invasive species, the white perch and the zebra mussel, live in the lake as well. Game animals living on land around the reservoir include common pheasants, deer, ducks, geese, prairie chickens, quail, rabbits, and turkeys.
Land at the far western end of the lake is home to a concentration of several native mixed grass prairie species: big bluestem, blue gramma, buffalo grass, Indian grass, little bluestem, sideoats gramma, and switchgrass.
See also
References
- ^ Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) details for Wilson Lake; United States Geological Survey (USGS); October 13, 1978.
- ^ "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "Wilson Lake Reallocation Study". Kansas Water Office. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "Learn About the Lake". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "Wilson Lake - The Clearest Lake in Kansas" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "General Highway Map - Russell County, Kansas". Kansas Department of Transportation. October 2010. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- "General Highway Map - Lincoln County, Kansas". Kansas Department of Transportation. May 2011. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- "Wilson Dam". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- "Bathymetric and Sediment Survey of Wilson Lake Reservoir, Russell County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Biological Survey. May 2009. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "Wilson Lake, Kansas [Map]" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- "Wilson State Park". Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ^ "Natural Resources". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
