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.

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 invited to meetings scheduled for upcoming Water Control Manual updates

Press Operations — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 13:21:13 GMT

Updates to Water Control Manuals and reviews of the Water Control Plans for Melvern, Pomona and Hillsdale Dams and Reservoirs will be the subject of a series of public meetings held by the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in March 2024. Congress provided funding and direction to USACE districts across the country do make administrative updates to the Water Control Manuals, to evaluate Water Control Plans and update as necessary and include a drought contingency plan for managing water releases from reservoirs during drought conditions.

Public scoping meeting to be held for Hillsdale Lake Master Plan revision

Press Operations — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:25:48 GMT

Officials will hold a public scoping meeting to discuss the Master Plan revision for Hillsdale Lake on February 29, 2024. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun the process of revising the Hillsdale Lake Master Plan, which was last updated in March 1978. The revision will bring the Master Plan up to date with current policy and regulations, land usage or designations, as well as consider current and projected visitation or recreational trends.

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 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.

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

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

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.

Hillsdale Lake cleanup event scheduled

Press Operations — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:52:22 GMT

HILLSDALE, Kan.— The U.S Army Corps of Engineers at Hillsdale Lake are teaming up with National Public Lands Day and Hillsdale State Park to host a Hillsdale Lake Cleanup Event on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. Individuals and groups are encouraged to participate and can register by contacting the Corps of Engineers at Hillsdale Lake.

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.

High water levels expected in Kansas and Missouri throughout the holiday weekend

Press Operations — Wed, 22 May 2019 22:56:01 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to monitor reservoirs and rivers in Kansas and Missouri. Due to widespread heavy rainfall, water elevations across the Heartland are higher than normal. Additional projected rainfall could have significant downstream effects on levee systems along the Missouri River. Our emergency operations center maintains constant contact with levee sponsors and districts to communicate potential risks as they are identified.

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.

Celebrate with safety this Fourth of July

Press Operations — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:22:00 GMT

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