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Author: Trisha Dorsey
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  • November

    Mason Rudder, Holt, Mo., harvests a doe during the 30th annual managed deer hunt at Smithville Lake, Nov. 23, 2019.

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake celebrates 30th managed deer hunt

    Nearly 150 people filled a maintenance facility with excitement at Smithville Lake around 4 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. They were all there for one reason, to get out into the wild and seek a big buck this weekend. For the 30th year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Smithville Lake hosted what’s known as the world’s largest managed deer hunt for mobility-impaired hunters. During this two-day event, 60 hunting blinds are set up across 3,800 acres of prime ground, not available for public hunting. Along with a volunteer, these hunters seek out the best spot near daybreak and wait out their target.

  • May

    The Kansas City District has a large Natural Resource Management Program which provides many recreational opportunities. While lake staff specializes in managing natural resources, several practices provide ancillary benefits to recreation and multiple authorized purposes.

    Natural resource management benefits spill over into recreation

    The Kansas City District has a large Natural Resource Management Program which provides many recreational opportunities. While lake staff specializes in managing natural resources, several practices provide ancillary benefits to recreation and multiple authorized purposes.“Through natural resource management, we work to improve the land which
  • Disc golf is an up and coming game. The courses are often nine or 18 holes and players toss a flying disc into a basket known as the target. The Kansas City District currently has 16 disc golf courses at eight lake locations.

    New trending recreation opportunities at Corps lakes

    Do you boat at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake? Do you bike on a nearby trail? What else can you do?Recreation opportunities at Corps lakes are plentiful. The obvious is water recreation, swimming, boating, sailing, fishing and more, but there are also several gems at Corps lakes that might be overlooked. “Corps lakes offer more than just a
  • To help share the importance of water safety, we rely on the public, our water safety rangers and our partners to assist in getting the word out. This year we will attend several events conducting water safety outreach across four states.

    Engaging with communities at water safety events

    To help share the importance of water safety, we rely on the public, our water safety rangers and our partners to assist in getting the word out. This year we will attend several events conducting water safety outreach across four states. “The Kansas City District is constantly seeking opportunities to connect with and educate the general public on
  • Sericea lespedeza is an extremely aggressive invasive plant that spreads rapidly in fields and takes over native species such as warm season grasses and pasture hay. To help control sericea lespedeza, fields can be sprayed with herbicide or seasonal controlled burns are conducted to clear out the invasion.

    The fight against invasive species and how you can help

    Invasive species can be an animal, plant or fungus. Typically, it’s a species that has been brought into a new environment and believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health. With 18 lakes in four states and Mitigation Project lands along the Missouri River, the Kansas City District has identified several species in
  • As we recognize May as National Water Safety Month, it’s important to understand water safety is truly a year-round concern.

    Recognizing the importance of water safety

    As we recognize May as National Water Safety Month, it’s important to understand water safety is truly a year-round concern. The Kansas City District urges recreation seekers to follow safety tips while enjoying water-based activities, especially during the summer months as larger crowds are anticipated at the district’s 18 lakes throughout

  • February

    Silver Jackets - Many Agencies, One Solution

    Silver Jackets working to communicate risks

    “We’re connecting the dots. I love being part of a team which brings people together and contributes little parts to make a whole project,” said Brian Rast, Kansas City District Lead Silver Jackets Coordinator for Kansas and Missouri. Through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources, program funding is provided to Corps of Engineers districts enabling them to partner with agencies in reducing risks from natural hazards. This program is called Silver Jackets.
  • While several sections of the Kansas City District paly a role in the navigation mission on the Missouri River, the Missouri River Area Office and River Engineering Section inspect and prioritize repairs to river structures.

    Navigating and maintaining the river

    Navigation is one of the eight authorized purposes of the Missouri River that mandates the Corps of Engineers to manage the navigation channel between Sioux City, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri. The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1945 calls for a 9-foot deep and minimum 300-foot wide channel. Today, the focus of the Corps of Engineers navigation mission is to provide safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation system for movement of commerce, national security needs and recreation. In order to meet this mission, the Corps focuses on repairs to river structures from damage such as ice, debris, scouring and high water velocity.
  • Kenneth Wade (right), Kansas City District outreach specialist, met with Aunit Malinkrodt, historian in Augusta, Missouri in 2017. Together they discussed river safety, boating safety and flood safety.

    River outreach underway

    Communication is key, and the Kansas City District understands that concept and strives to implement it. “We have more stakeholders than we know,” said John Grothaus, Kansas City District’s chief of planning. “We are actively searching for them, working to communicate with them to learn their needs while informing what the Corps of Engineers does and how we can best serve the public.”

  • December

    Park rangers promote water safety and assist with finding loaner life jackets and correct fitting.

    Finding a pathway to natural resource management opportunities

    How does a college student find a career with the government? In 2010, an Executive Order was signed by President Obama to implement a program titled Pathways, this authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District to hire students two different ways. The first authority allows the hiring of temporary park rangers and maintenance workers to fulfill a seasonal work program at lake projects. The second authority allows students to enter the Natural Resource Management or Maintenance Training programs in which students are provided employment while they are trained for these specialized careers.