Kansas City District News Releases

Pomona Dam to undergo rip rap enhancement project

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:27:49 GMT

Pomona Dam will undergo a rip rap overlay project on its front slope that is anticipated to start around Sept. 15, 2025. This project is necessary to reinforce the dam’s protective layer and ensure its continued structural integrity. The existing rip rap, placed over 60 years ago, has deteriorated due to natural weathering. This deterioration compromises the rip rap’s ability to protect the dam’s front slope from erosion and other potential damage. The project will involve placing new rip rap over the existing layer to restore the dam’s protective barrier.

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.

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.

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.

Pomona Lake closes camping at Adams Grove Park, boat ramp remains open

Press Operations — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 18:27:00 GMT

VASSAR, Kan. — The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to make operational changes and closures to Adams Grove Park located at Pomona Lake due to underutilization. These changes are being made in an effort to improve park operating efficiencies, while still providing a quality recreational opportunity for the public.

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.

Hazardous algae bloom present at Outlet Park River Pond and Swim Beach at Melvern Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 20:49:52 GMT

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District announced today a hazardous algae bloom at the Outlet Park River Pond and Outlet Park Swim Beach downstream of Melvern Lake. Kansas Department of Environment and Health has confirmed that cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae with low levels of the toxin microcystin, have been identified in the two ponds below Melvern Dam.

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 to hold public meeting on high water levels at Melvern Lake and Pomona Lake

Press Operations — Thu, 23 May 2019 19:30:00 GMT

Due to above average water levels being held in Melvern Lake and Pomona Lake, the Kansas City District and lake project personnel will hold a public meeting at Lyndon High School auditorium from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019.

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.

Corps continues to closely monitor flood conditions

Press Operations — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 23:11:00 GMT

The Kansas City District Emergency Operations Center is currently operating at a Level 2 partial activation. This level represents a partial activation and is designed to collect, evaluate, interpret and disseminate flooding information both internally and externally.