Cheney Reservoir is a reservoir on the North Fork Ninnescah River in Reno, Kingman, and Sedgwick counties of Kansas in the United States. Built and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for local water supply, it is also used for flood control and recreation. Cheney State Park is located on its shore.
Cheney Reservoir is located at 37°45′35″N 97°50′06″W (37.7597113, -97.8350121) at an elevation of 1,421 feet (433 m). It lies in south-central Kansas in the Wellington Lowlands region of the Great Plains. Most of the reservoir lies in Reno County though its southwestern portion extends into Kingman County, and a small portion along the dam lies within Sedgwick County. The junction of the three counties' borders lies in the reservoir.
The reservoir is impounded at its southeastern end by Cheney Dam (National ID # KS00017). The dam is located at 37°43′31″N 97°47′51″W (37.7252898, -97.7975511) at an elevation of 1,417 feet (432 m). The middle portion of Cheney Dam lies in the northwest corner of Sedgwick County; its southwestern end lies in Kingman County; and its northeastern end lies in Reno County. The North Fork Ninnescah River is both the reservoir's primary inflow from the northwest and its outflow to the southeast.
Kansas Highway 251, which runs north-south, connects the reservoir to U.S. Route 54 4 miles (6.4 km) to the south and the community of Cheney 5.5 miles (8.9 km) to the south. Below the dam, the highway becomes a paved county road and turns northeast, running parallel to the dam then finally turning east. 21st Street North, another paved county road, runs east-west immediately south of the dam.
There are two settlements at Cheney Reservoir, both unincorporated: Mount Vernon, located 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the dam, and St. Joe, located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the reservoir's southeastern end
The KDWP operates Cheney State Park located on both shores of the reservoir's southern end. The 1,913-acre (7.74 km) park is divided into two areas: the East Shore Area and the West Shore Area. Both areas include boat ramps, campgrounds, and swimming beaches. The East Shore Area also hosts a full-service marina, and the West Shore Area includes hiking trails as well as the Ninnescah Sailing Center.
Cheney Reservoir is open for sport fishing year-round. Hunting is permitted on the public land around the reservoir although it is restricted in certain areas. In addition, certified range officers operate the Cheney Shooting Range on weekends at the north end of the Cheney Wildlife Area
- The park has 4 designated swimming areas as well as several picnic/day-use areas. There are 8 modern cabins on the West shore of the lake for those who would rather not "rough it." Located in windy central Kansas, the lake offers excellent sailing. In fact, National Sailing regattas take place at Cheney.
- The park features 29 miles of asphalt roads and parking areas; a park office; 2 marinas; 223 reservable electrical hookup sites with water; over 400 primitive camp sites; 4 trailer dump stations; 6 boat ramps with 22 launching lanes; 4 courtesy docks; 2 fish cleaning stations; 7 modern pit toilets; 9 shower-houses; 1 shelter with restrooms; 2 large group shelters; 2 medium group shelters; 29 small picnic shelters; a large shelter and a restroom; 3 nature trails including a 5 mile bicycle/walking trail; and 9 modern cabins.
