KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Kansas Water Office, is pleased to announce the start of the second demonstration period for the innovative Water Injection Dredging project at Tuttle Creek Lake.
The second demonstration period will take place from March 17-27, 2026, providing a real-world assessment of Water Injection Dredging’s effectiveness in sedimentation management within inland reservoirs. This pioneering project aims to evaluate Water Injection Dredging (WID) as a potential alternative to traditional mechanical dredging. WID uses a controlled injection of water, under pressure, to loosen sediment from the riverbed, allowing it to be carried downstream by the natural current.
“This project represents a significant step forward in exploring sustainable dredging techniques to restore water storage capacity and evaluate the associated environmental effects.” said Laura Totten, project manager for the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Water Injection Dredging Demonstration Project at the Kansas City District.
Tuttle Creek Lake is the largest reservoir in the Kansas River Basin. Over 40% of the population of Kansas, including the urban areas of Topeka, Kansas City, Manhattan and Lawrence depend on the flood control and water supply benefits of Tuttle Creek Lake and many more utilize the recreational and environmental benefits.
Since dam closure in 1962, 438 million cubic yards of sediment have accumulated at Tuttle Creek Lake. Sediment deposition has shrunk the surface area of the reservoir, which has buried boat ramps, cut off habitat in coves, led to the abandonment of water intakes and caused numerous other harmful effects. Without intentional action, the benefits of this resource will continue to diminish. Estimates indicate that by 2049, the multi-purpose pool will be 75% full of sediment, leaving only 25% of the original storage capacity and in 2074, only 7% of the original storage capacity will remain.
During the demonstration period, USACE and its partners will be closely monitoring the following key aspects:
- Sediment transport: Analyzing the movement and dispersal of sediment after injection.
- Environmental impacts: Monitoring water quality, aquatic life and potential impacts on sensitive areas.
- Operational efficiency: Evaluating the speed, cost and overall efficiency of the WID process.
The results of this demonstration period will be crucial in determining the long-term viability of Water Injection Dredging as a strategy for managing sediment at Tuttle Creek Lake and other USACE reservoirs. Additionally, knowledge gained from the project will be invaluable for sedimentation management across the nation.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the project website for more information and updates on progress.
