Thread: Kaw lake archives

Originally Posted by TimY

Couple reasons they are not planting millet. First one is due to the expense to plant it and it has failed the last couple of years due to heavy rain in the fall that washed it out. From the fishing standpoint, it's a good thing. When they pulled the lake down to 1007 to 1008, coon creek ramp was dry and the river channel could not be navigated. From the hunters side of it it's a bad deal because Kaw was one of the last lakes in the state they planted millet Also think there was a lot of complaints to the Dept. of Tourism about the ramp closed at coon during the labor day weekend. As far as the north end silting in, don't think it will be 2025. With the lake at normal pool, it is getting really tough to navigate the river channel north of coon creek. You better know the channel or you will be out pushing your boat.

That prediction from back in the late 80's was that the lake would be unusable from the sarge creek bridge, north by 2025. I don't see that happening, but the area from coon creek north is certainly almost unusable now at normal levels. Back in the late 70's, there were small wooded islands, all over that area, Bear creek ramp was popular, and you could motor right up bear creek from the lake.
Water depth from coon creek to bear creek at normal lake elevations was 12-15'. Last time I was up that area, it was about 3'-4' and the bear creek ramp was 100 yds away from any water. Lake is certainly silting in, but the 2025 prediction isn't going to happen.
Still have my coin from the dedication ceremony when the dam gates first closed and the dam was dedicated.
Rode dirt bikes on what is now the edges of the river channel that is 30'/40' deep up to the old Kaw city. LOL, thought we were the baddest of the bad at 15 with our 90cc dirt bikes.
Deer hunted all that bottom after the corps bought it.
Second cousin owned the land just below the dam on the west side and around the curve of the river below the dam. Dad and Uncle trotlined that area where the dam is now when I was a little kid. Used to be a huge brush pile in there. Oh well, so much for the memory's.
Back to your regular scheduled programming.