Kansas City District News Releases

Dispersed overnight camping in Marshall Cove Loop at Wilson Lake discontinuing beginning May 15

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:37:48 GMT

In alignment with established U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation use standards, dispersed overnight camping in Marshall Cove Loop (within Minooka Park) will no longer be permitted beginning May 15, 2025. Marshall Cove will remain open for public recreation access, including to private dock holders and guests. The Wilson Lake project is implementing this necessary change to improve public safety, staff safety and protect environmental resources in the area by referring users to designated campsites.

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.

Updated hunting regulations in effect at Kansas lakes

Press Operations — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:42:00 GMT

To align with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks public lands hunting regulations, an updated policy restricting certain hunting practices is in effect at Kansas lakes.

Public comment period extended for the Kansas River Reservoir Flood and Sediment Study

Press Operations — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:39:58 GMT

The public comment period for the Kansas River Reservoir Flood and Sediment Study has been extended to December 29, 2023. Officials are hosting public meetings for the Kansas River Reservoir Flood and Sediment Study this month and will occur at locations throughout the basin. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has prepared the Draft Watershed Study Report for the Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study.

Public meetings to be held for the Kansas River Reservoir Flood and Sediment Study

Press Operations — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:47:00 GMT

Officials are hosting public meetings for the Kansas River Reservoir Flood and Sediment Study, set to take place in November 2023, and will occur at locations throughout the basin. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, has prepared the Draft Watershed Study Report for the Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study.

Waterfront campsites at Wilson Lake will be closed Sept. 18-22 to allow for invasive species control

Press Operations — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:12:00 GMT

All waterfront campsites at Wilson Lake, near Sylvan Grove, Kansas, will be closed the week of Sept. 18-22 because a helicopter will be flying near the shorelines using an herbicide to help control phragmites. Campgrounds affected include Lucas Park, Minooka Park, Otoe State Park and Hell Creek State Park. Campsites that do not border the water are still available for camping.

Military Exercise at Wilson Lake during June

Press Operations — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:55:00 GMT

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants park goers and the public to know that a military exercise will be partly taking place at Wilson Lake from June 4 through June 28, 2022. The Kansas Air National Guard’s 184th Wing will conduct a military training exercise and will set up military equipment, tents and long-range communication systems on land near the Scenic Overlook or north Lucas Park. The purpose of the exercise is to test the operational readiness of the Airmen and equipment assigned to the unit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Corps at Kanopolis Lake announces annual waterfowl blind permit drawing

Press Operations — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 18:43:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis Lake announce the annual waterfowl blind permit drawing. The event will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at the Kanopolis Lake Information Center located at 105 Riverside Drive, Marquette, KS, 67464.

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.

Army Corps of Engineers promotes water safety this summer season

Press Operations — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:29:00 GMT

Summer is almost here and that means millions of Americans will be planning visits to our nation’s lakes and rivers. As the steward of many of these public waters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reminds visitors to be aware of the importance of practicing safe, sensible and thoughtful activities in and around the water.

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

Press Operations — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 14:32:59 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11 and 12. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage.

Don’t be a statistic this Labor Day weekend

Press Operations — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 16:58:26 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, which manages 18 lakes throughout Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, encourages you not to be a statistic this Labor Day weekend and to wear a life jacket while in, on, or around the water.