Kansas City District News Releases

Kansas City District waiving collection of day use fees for October & November

Press Operations — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:59:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, announced today that it will waive the collection of fees at its day use recreation areas for the months of October and November. Fee collections were suspended earlier this year at boat ramps and swimming beaches when recreation areas were closed due to COVID-19 precautions. USACE plans to resume its day use fees in the spring of 2021.

Don’t end this summer as a number

Press Operations — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 22:33:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As we close out the warm summer months this Labor Day weekend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District encourages you to not end this summer as a statistic and to practice water safety this weekend. We urge visitors to be vigilant, understand the importance of water safety and to expect the unexpected in and around the water.

Corps announces temporary closure at Tuttle Creek Cove Park

Press Operations — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 17:49:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, has awarded a contract at Tuttle Creek Lake to K & K Industries, Inc., Junction City, Kan. for repair of the Tuttle Creek Cove Park in Riley County, Kan. The Tuttle Creek Cove Park area was significantly damaged during the 2019 flood events. The contracted work will repair the utility camping loops and access roads to the boat launch and day use facilities. Construction activities are expected to take approximately 9 months to complete with a goal to reopen the park by May 1, 2021.

Camp Branch swim beach closed at Smithville Lake for precautionary measure

Press Operations — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:45:20 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District identified a potential toxic blue green algae bloom at Smithville Lake near Camp Branch swim beach. As a precautionary measure, Camp Branch swim beach, managed by Clay County Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites, is closed until additional test results are obtained.

Army Corps of Engineers reports an increase in adult drowning at its lake and river projects this summer

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 19:54:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that more than 30 people lost their lives to drowning in June at lake and river projects the agency manages. The June statistics represent a 47 percent increase in drownings over the same time period last year. USACE also reported that nearly all the drowning victims were adult males between the ages of 18 and 85 and were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the drowning.

Corps seeks comments on Stockton Lake water supply storage reallocation study

Press Operations — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 14:56:42 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District is seeking comments on a tentatively selected plan for the Stockton Lake water supply storage reallocation study. The tentatively selected plan proposes to reallocate 45,750 acre-feet from the Stockton Lake multipurpose pool and 49,000 AF from the flood control pool, with a 1.8-foot increase to the normal pool elevation. The plan would also include a new water intake structure within the existing City Utilities of Springfield easement at Stockton Lake.

Corps of Engineers provides safety tips for Independence Day weekend

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:00:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the nation's largest federal provider of water-based recreation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District stresses water safety and urges extra caution while in or around water during the upcoming Independence Day holiday.

Dam Safety Day recognized in Kansas City District

Press Operations — Fri, 29 May 2020 19:12:11 GMT

Living with dams is a shared responsibility and requires constant assessment, continuous communication and engagement with local public and emergency management agencies. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, operates and manages 18 dams in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Flood control serves as the primary purpose of these dams. Corps reservoirs provide many other benefits including recreation activities.

Corps provides safety tips for Memorial Day weekend

Press Operations — Wed, 20 May 2020 19:30:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Water is one of the premier destinations for Memorial Day weekend and with that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District’s 18 lakes see a huge increase in visitors. We value the safety of our visitors and want each and every individual to have a safe and enjoyable experience this holiday weekend and encourage everyone to think about these five recreation safety tips this Memorial Day weekend:

Corps of Engineers announce phased reopening of campgrounds

Press Operations — Thu, 14 May 2020 16:11:53 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District is planning a phased reopening of campsites and recreation areas closed due to COVID-19, to begin immediately. The decision to reopen each recreation area is based largely on the safety of the staff and visitors. Each lake is going through a conditions-based assessment to verify all staff can return to work safely and will have the proper personal protection equipment available. In addition, they are confirming the availability of contractors and staff who help operate and maintain the recreation areas and implementing operational changes to address COVID-19 concerns in campgrounds.

Corps’ Kansas City District campsite and shelter reservation closures extended through 1 June

Press Operations — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:20:00 GMT

Due to the ongoing concerns related to the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District has extended its recreation area closures through June 1, 2020.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes request for comment on proposed revision to regulation governing possession of firearms

Press Operations — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:33:14 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today published in the Federal Register a request for comments on a proposed revision to its regulation governing the possession and transportation of firearms at USACE-managed Water Resources Development Projects.

Corps-managed campgrounds begin orderly shutdown

Press Operations — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:38:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As America confronts the challenges of Coronavirus disease 2019, protecting the

Corps of Engineers taking precautions, Visitor Centers closed

Press Operations — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 18:14:20 GMT

Due to health precautions regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), all Kansas City District Visitor Centers are closed. Safety is our number one priority. Nothing is more important than the safety of our visitors, customers, contractors and our people. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide timely updates regarding other potential facility closures at our lakes on our websites and/or social sites.

Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Veterans Day

Press Operations — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 18:43:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,850 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day, November 11.

Stockton Lake to host annual managed deer hunt, some parks temporarily closed to public

Press Operations — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:17:56 GMT

STOCKTON, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Stockton Lake and the Stockton Lions Club will host the 22nd Annual Stockton Lake Managed Deer Hunt for persons with physical disabilities Nov. 9-10, 2019, in Hawker Point, Masters and Orleans Trail South parks. To maintain a high level of safety, Hawker Point and Orleans Trail South parks will close Nov. 3 and will reopen Nov. 13. Masters Park will be closed to archery hunting and hiking on Nov. 9-10. Individuals planning activities in these areas should consider other options around the lake.

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 19:16:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Corps of Engineers encourages water safety this Labor Day weekend

Press Operations — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 14:23:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, manages 18 lakes throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, and encourages you not to be a statistic this Labor Day weekend and to wear a life jacket while in, on, or around water. “Statistics tell us 89% of all water related fatalities at Corps of Engineers lakes were not wearing life jackets,” says Kyle Ruona, Kansas City District public safety program manager. The Kansas City District urges visitors to be prepared, understand the importance of water safety, to be alert and to expect the unexpected.

Kansas City District holds change of command ceremony

Press Operations — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

In historic military tradition, command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District transferred today from Col. Douglas B. Guttormsen to Col. William C. Hannan, Jr. In a ceremony at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo., Hannan received the traditional guidon from Guttormsen thus assuming command of the district.

Celebrate safely this Independence Day weekend

Press Operations — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:37:56 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The ‘dog days of summer’ are upon us and millions of Americans will find refuge from the heat at pools, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams across our nation during the Independence Day weekend. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds everyone that no matter the size of the water you recreate in you should never forget about water safety.