Milford Lake Right Now
Milford Lake's water level has been rising over the past week. Watershed conditions show no official drought. Today's forecast calls for sunny with a high around 84°F.
- 7-day level change
- Up 1.69 feet
- Water temperature
- 68°F
USGS · 2 hours ago
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Overview
Milford Lake is Kansas's largest reservoir by multipurpose-pool surface area - about 15,700 acres with 163 miles of shoreline - on the Republican River near Junction City. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District operates the dam (impounded 1967) for flood risk reduction, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife, and recreation. Authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1954, Milford works with Perry, Tuttle Creek, and Clinton in the Kansas River basin.
Maximum depth is about 65 feet. Broad open water, creek arms, and extensive public lands create a large eastern Great Plains fishery and boating lake within the Kansas River basin system that includes Perry Lake and Tuttle Creek. Deep water near the dam contrasts with long, winding creek arms popular for spring crappie fishing.
Milford is a major destination for walleye, bass, crappie, and catfish managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Corps campgrounds, marinas, and ramps support heavy visitation. Two marinas and numerous Corps ramps support one of the highest visitation totals among Kansas lakes.
Multipurpose pool is about 1,144 feet NGVD29, with flood storage above. Basin storms and system operations with other Kansas River lakes can move levels quickly, so monitoring current lake levels is important for boating, fishing, and docks. Water-supply and water-quality releases into the Republican River are coordinated with state water agencies.
Milford Lake is a 15,700-acre reservoir on the Republican River managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Kansas City District).