Melvern Lake, body of water
Melvern Lake is a large reservoir in Osage County, Kansas, created by damming the Marais des Cygnes River. The water body covers approximately 10.8 square miles and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The dam was completed in 1970 after the area suffered severe flooding for years, particularly during the major flood of 1951. The reservoir began filling by 1975 and has since protected downstream communities from flood damage while supporting recreation.
The reservoir has five parks along its shoreline - Outlet Park, Arrow Rock Park, Coeur d'Alene Park, Turkey Point Park, and Sun Dance Park - where visitors can fish, camp, and picnic. Access points are spread around the water, making it easy to find a spot suited to your plans.
The water is fed mainly by the Marais des Cygnes River, whose name means 'Swans' in French and reflects early European exploration of the region. The dam itself stands 188 feet high and stretches nearly 10,000 feet across, making it a significant structure of its era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
