TUTTLE CREEK LAKE, Kan. — Tuttle Creek Reservoir continues to rise following recent heavy rainfall across the Big Blue River basin, with the lake reaching 1,094.76 feet as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 6.
The reservoir is currently at approximately 16% of its available flood-storage capacity. Inflow from the Big Blue River is running at 18,550 cubic feet per second, while releases from Tuttle Creek Dam are approximately 2,873 cubic feet per second.
The top of the flood pool at Tuttle Creek Lake is 1,136 feet, while the top of the dam is 1,159 feet. The record crest for the reservoir occurred during the historic 1993 flood, when the lake reached 1,137.77 feet on July 23, 1993.
Big Blue River Falling at Blue Rapids
Farther upstream, water levels on the Big Blue River at Blue Rapids are falling. The river was measured at approximately 29.88 feet Tuesday morning and is forecast to continue declining.
The National Weather Service says the river is expected to fall below its 26-foot flood stage early Thursday morning. The latest forecast calls for a stage of approximately 24.6 feet Thursday afternoon, with the river continuing to fall to around 19.5 feet by Sunday morning.
At 7 a.m. Tuesday, the river stage was approximately 30 feet.
The current flooding is considered minor flooding, with lowland flooding occurring along portions of the river from Marysville to Tuttle Creek Lake.
River Below Flood Stage at Marysville
At Marysville, the Big Blue River was observed at approximately 27.97 feet Tuesday morning and falling.
The river at Marysville is currently below flood stage.
Flood Warning Continues for Blue Rapids
The National Weather Service in Topeka has extended a Flood Warning for the Big Blue River near Blue Rapids through Thursday afternoon.
The warning indicates minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast to continue. The river is expected to fall below the 26-foot flood stage early Thursday.
Officials continue to remind motorists not to drive around barricades or attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
Flood Warning Also in Effect at Beatrice
Upstream in Nebraska, the National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley continues a Flood Warning for the Big Blue River at Beatrice in Gage County.
The river was measured at 19.0 feet at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, above the 18-foot flood stage. The river reached a maximum of 20.4 feet during the previous 24 hours.
The National Weather Service expects the river to fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon, with the level forecast to continue dropping to approximately 4.7 feet by Sunday morning.
At 20 feet, Chautauqua Park begins to flood. The previous record crest at Beatrice was 19.1 feet in July 1978.
Residents and motorists in areas affected by flooding are urged to use caution, particularly at night, and to “turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads.
