Lakes & Parks

Osage County is one of two counties in the United States to have two federal reservoirs located within its boundaries. The United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks both manage park areas at both the Pomona and Melvern Lake projects. The Osage County State Fishing Lake is also located near Overbrook.

Melvern Lake

Melvern Lake was dedicated in 1975 and comprises 6930 surface areas. The Melvern Lake Project consists of 23,362 acres of federally owned lands which include the lake, wildlife and park areas, which provide abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. A marina is available, as well.

The Corps of Engineers visitor information center is located at the south end of the dam in the administration building, 1⁄4 mile west of the K-31 (Melvern) exit off Hwy 75. It houses informational exhibits on archaeology, flora, fauna, lake data and the Corp of Engineers as well as brochures and information pamphlets. Licenses and permits are also available.

For more information or reservations, contact:

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Melvern Project
31051 Melvern Lake Parkway
Melvern, KS 66510-9179
785-549-3318
or visit online at: www.nwk.usace.army.mil/me

For a lake map and printable brochure go to: www.nwk.usace.army.mil/me

Reservations can also be made by calling the NRRS Reservation Center (toll-free) at 877-444-6777, or online at www.recreation.gov

Eisenhower State Park

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks administers Eisenhower State Park, which offers water sports, camping, hiking and picnicking. The park office provides lake and park information, brochures, licenses and permits sales and KDWP souvenirs.

Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
Eisenhower State Park
29810 S. Fairlawn Rd.
Melvern, Kansas 66523
785-528-4102
or visit online at: www.kdwp.state.ks.us/pmforum/ikesp.html

For a printable brochure and map go to: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/PDF/Brochures/AreaMaps/Region_2/ikeSP.pdf

Pomona Lake

Pomona Lake is situated on 110 Mile Creek above the Marais des Cygnes River. Opened in 1963, the lake comprises 4,000 surface acres and 52 miles of scenic shoreline. The lake area offers a variety of recreational activities including water sports, camping, hunting, hiking and horseback riding trails. Two marinas are available, one at the north end of the dam and one in Pomona State Park.

The Corps of Engineers visitor information center is located at the southwest end of the dam at the administration building and is open from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. It houses exhibits and displays which describe the history, flora, and fauna of the area, as well as Corps of Engineers information, brochures, trail guides, calendar of events and other lake information. Licenses and permits are available, as well.

For more information or reservations, contact:

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Pomona Project
5260 Pomona Dam Road
Vassar, KS 66543
785-453-2201
or visit online at: www.nwk.usace.army.mil/po

Reservations can also be made by calling the NRRS Reservation Center (toll-free) at
877-444-6777, or online at www.recreation.gov

For a lake map and printable brochure go to: www.nwk.usace.army.mil/po

Pomona State Park

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks administers Pomona State Park, near Vassar, which offers camping, picnicking, hiking and water sports. The office is located near the park entrance and offers lake information, brochures, licenses and permits, as well as KDWP souvenirs.

Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
Pomona State Park
22900 South Hwy. 368
Vassar, Kansas 66543
785-828-4933
or visit online at: www.kdwp.state.ks.us/pmforum/pomona.html

For a printable park brochure and map go to:
www.kdwp.state.ks.us