Kansas City District News Releases

Temporary recreation area closures and service reductions begin May 15 across Kansas City District, USACE

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:58:51 GMT

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close or reduce services at recreation areas across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa beginning May 15, 2025. USACE is currently managing seasonal staffing and resource limitations that affect its ability to safely open and maintain all recreation sites at normal levels of service. These temporary adjustments are being made at all 18 Kansas City District lakes to ensure visitor safety, protect environmental resources and sustain critical hydropower and dam operations.

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees and invites volunteers to participate in National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

Press Operations — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:51:43 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 (NPLD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.

Smithville Lake conducts vital periodic inspection of dam to ensure safety

Press Operations — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:35:52 GMT

Officials conducted a periodic inspection of Smithville Dam on April 23 and 24, 2024, in Smithville, Missouri. Periodic inspections occur every five years to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. Staff from the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emptied the stilling basin and performed a thorough inspection of Smithville Dam over the course of several days.

Smithville Lake holds rededication ceremony for Jerry L. Litton Visitor Center

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:03:15 GMT

On October 16, 2023, Smithville Lake, along with the Litton Foundation, held a rededication ceremony for the visitor center named after the late Jerry L. Litton, congressman from Chillicothe, Missouri. Congress authorized the Smithville Lake visitor center to incorporate the Jerry L. Litton Museum following Litton’s death in 1976. Prior to the rededication ceremony, the visitor center housed the Jerry L. Litton Museum, was home to several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informational exhibits and served as USACE administrative offices. In 2022, USACE notified the Litton Foundation of its intent to remodel the building.

Smithville Lake to host annual managed deer hunt for individuals with ambulatory disabilities on Nov. 19 and 20

Press Operations — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 17:43:42 GMT

The annual managed deer hunt hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake for individuals with ambulatory disabilities will take place on Nov. 19 and 20, 2022. This event allows individuals with ambulatory disabilities the opportunity to hunt from wheelchair accessible hunting blinds at Smithville Lake.

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 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.

Corps of Engineers to host 25th Eagle Days event at Smithville Lake

Press Operations — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:08:00 GMT

SMITHVILLE, Mo.— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to Smithville Lake’s 25th Annual Eagle Days in Smithville, Mo., Jan. 4 and 5, 2020. The two-day event is highlighted by live predatory bird programs hosted by Operation Wildlife on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the Paradise Pointe Golf Course Complex. Several other vendors will participate Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m. Eagle viewing stations with spotting scopes and agency personnel will be available to help visitors view live eagles in the wild.

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.