Hillsdale Lake, Kansas

Hillsdale Lake Stats

Geography and Animal Life

The 18.5 km2 man-made lake is a very popular fishing spot, where fishermen can catch walleye, catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill. After the construction of the dam more than 70% of the standing timber was left in the basin to contribute to fish habitat.

Among wildlife animals one can encounter whitetail deer, squirrels, rabbits, beavers, muskrat and bobwhite quail. Bird-watching is another popular activity in the area; one can admire bald eagles, shorebirds, finches, warblers, sparrows and hawks.

Construction of the Dam

Hillsdale Dam was completed in 1982, in attempt to control the massive flooding in the area. It was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, who created a V-shaped reservoir on the Big Bull Creek. No hydrological power is gained from the dam.

Hillside Dam is one of the youngest reservoirs in the state, part of a complex control plan for the river basins of the Osage and Missouri rivers.

Tourism and Leisure Activities

Most of the recreational facilities near Hillsdale Lake opened their gates in 1994. Next to the lake there are 48.5 km2 of wildlife and natural park area. The most popular water activities are swimming, boating and kayaking. Camping, hunting, hiking and picnicking are favored activities on the reservoir’s shorelines. The Saddle Ridge equestrian area gives an additional spark to the place among those who practice horse-riding. There are also two mountain-bike trails that lead through the woods, the open grassy fields and among cliffs which offer a stunning view over the reservoir.

Hillsdale Lake Reviews

Kris R – 2024-04-24 11:06:34

The state of Kansas does state parks right! We camped with horses at the equestrian campground and the scenery and amenities were fantastic. The lake is also beautiful. I would love to come back someday with our boat