MANHATTAN, Kan. – Officials at the Tuttle Creek Lake project want stakeholders – residents, neighbors and area officials – to be aware the of the reason and need for retaining more water than usual for this time of year in the reservoir.
The lake has risen over 14 feet since March 9 and continues to rise. Inflow into the lake peaked today at approximately 48,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and inflow is forecast to start slowly declining. Outflow from the dam was also reduced to minimum due to downstream flood conditions and is expected to remain at minimum until downstream conditions improve.
This increase in inflow and minimum outflow will result in a continued rise in lake levels for a minimum of the next two weeks. Currently, the lake level is forecast to rise near an elevation of 1113.0 over the next two weeks. Several factors impact this, including additional precipitation in the basin and how quickly downstream conditions recede, so this estimate could change.
Corps-managed campgrounds that include Tuttle Creek Cove and Stockdale Parks are scheduled to open April 15. However, most of both parks will be impacted by the elevated lake levels and the scheduled opening has been delayed until April 30. If conditions require a change to this anticipated opening date, additional information will be announced. Several other parks and facilities around the lake will also be impacted.
Information for Tuttle Creek Lake, other lakes in the Kansas City District, as well as stream flow links are available at https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/Water-Management/
For additional information, contact the Tuttle Creek Project Office at 785-539-8511 or by email at tuttle.creek@usace.army.mil.
The Kansas City District is a team of dedicated professionals with a strong heritage and proven results who, in collaboration with our partners, proudly serve in the Heartland providing leadership, technical excellence, and innovative solutions to the nation’s most complex problems.