LAWRENCE, Kan. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Clinton Lake will dewater the lake’s water control structures to perform a dam safety inspection from Apr. 17 through Apr. 24, 2018.
For the safety of the public and lake personnel, access to the outlet channel and immediate area will be closed during this time.
Dam safety inspections are a vital part of the Corps of Engineers mission. Formal engineering inspections are performed every five years, and the outlet channel is dewatered every ten years for a more thorough inspection.
Engineers will inspect the major feature of the project, including the stilling basin, outlet works conduit, the equipment inside the intake tower, the tower itself and the embankments to ensure there is no damage beyond the normal wear of a 40-year-old dam.
“The safety and performance of our dams is a top priority for the Corps of Engineers,” says Brian Turk, civil engineer. “By bringing in our engineers across multiple disciplines, we can ensure that each aspect of the dam is inspected by knowledgeable personnel.”
Constructed in 1977, Clinton Lake spans eight miles up the Wakarusa River and covers 7,000 surface acres, with the ability to expand an additional 5,800 acres during periods of heavy rain as excess runoff is stored to reduce downstream flooding. The lake works in conjunction with several other Corps of Engineers lakes to provide flood reduction for the Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
Other benefits of the lake include water supply for the local community, recreation, fish and wildlife management and water quality improvement.
For more information about the Clinton Lake dam inspection contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Clinton Lake at 785-843-7665.