Davids Visits Olathe Cedar Lake Dam, Highlights Approved Funding for Necessary Stormwater Infrastructure
Today, Representative Sharice Davids toured the Cedar Lake Dam in Olathe, which is currently designated as a high hazard dam by the Kansas Division of Water Resources. Davids' funding request to design and build a new dam and spillway at Cedar Lake is one of 15 local projects that have been approved by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, eight of which have passed the House thus far. Davids serves as the Vice Chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
"Many people may think of the Cedar Lake Dam as a waterfall or a good spot for fishing, and it is! But it's also an important structure that prevents the flooding of Olathe homes and businesses and keeps the local economy thriving," said Davids. "The dam is currently labeled as high hazard, making these improvements more crucial than ever. I'm glad to work with our local officials to request targeted investments in our infrastructure that make our communities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle the effects of unpredictable weather."
"Cedar Lake has been part of this community for over 100 years," said John Bacon, Mayor of Olathe. "It is an important community recreation amenity that also helps keep Lake Olathe clean and thriving. This funding is important to preserve the lake for new generations, and it will enhance flood prevention by replacing the aging critical infrastructure and raising the dam. The project will ultimately be a great example of a partnership with the city, the State of Kansas, and with the help of our Congresswoman, the federal government."
Rep. Sharice Davids with Rob Beilfuss, Stormwater Manager for the City of Olathe, at the Cedar Lake Dam restoration project site.
The funding approved by the Appropriations Committee will be used to design, including permitting and mitigation, a new dam and spillway approximately 900 feet downstream of the current location. The project is part of a larger Capital Improvement Plan from the City of Olathe running through 2026. Infrastructure maintenance will include replacement of the concrete spillway and necessary updates to meet current State regulations and enhance safety during flood events.
More information on the City of Olathe's funding request can be found here and the latest Appropriations Committee reports can be found here. Each of the 15 Davids-requested projects was submitted in conjunction with local officials and selected for its potential to improve health and safety in the community, tackle climate change, and bring economic opportunity to the Third District. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.