Cottonwood Falls Dam & Bridge
 

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

Cottonwood Falls Kansas Dam & Bridge Map

More Kansas Waterfalls
Cottonwood Falls Prairie Fire Festival

Cottonwood Falls Kansas Dam and Bridge - Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Turtle floating in the Cottonwood River
Cottonwood Falls Bridge and Dam
Cottonwood Falls Bridge and Dam from Highway 177 bridge in 2006.

The Cottonwood Falls and Bridge at the north side of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas is a nice place for a short break or picnic. The adjacent Bates Grove Park provides parking, tables and grills.

The first dam at this site was constructed of cottonwood logs in 1860. It provided water power for a saw and grist mill. In 1906 the dam was expanded and used to generate electricity. The present dam is constructed from cut limestone which was later covered with concrete.

The first major bridge at Cottonwood Falls was a 150 foot long iron truss bridge constructed in 1872. The present bridge was constructed in 1914 by the Missouri Valley Bridge Company of Leavenworth, Kansas for $13,700. It is one of only 3 remaining reinforced masonry, earth filled arch bridges that were designed by Daniel B. Luten. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2007, the Cottonwood Falls Bridge had major restoration.

The community also has some interesting stores and galleries along Broadway between the bridge and the Chase County Courthouse.

Cottonwood Falls Dam with winter snow
Cottonwood Falls Dam in March 2019

Cottonwood Falls Dam
View of Cottonwood Falls Dam from the bridge

Millstream Motel in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Millstream Motel and Resort

Cottonwood Falls Bridge
The 1914 Cottonwood Falls arch bridge in 2006.

new Cootonwood Falls Bridge
The improved 1914 Cottonwood Falls arch bridge in April, 2008.


The new surface of the bridge

Cottonwood River Dam
Cottonwood Dam waterfall during spring high water in 2008

Cottonwood Fall Bridge in spring flood
Even higher water passing under the Cotton Wood Falls Bridge in May 2009

Cottonwood Falls in spring flood stage
The high water makes the falls almost entirely disappear

Chase County Courthouse - Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
The 1873 French Renaissance Chase County Courthouse is the oldest Kansas Courthouse still in use.
Climb to the 3rd floor for the view, 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday - Friday.

Photos from this page were reprinted in the Winter, 2008 issue of Kansas Traveler.

Cottonwood Falls Kansas Dam and Bridge Map - Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Cottonwood Falls Kansas Dam and Bridge Map

Cottonwood Falls Prairie Fire Festival
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copyright 2006-2019 by Keith Stokes