MANHATTAN Kan. - Beginning Dec. 5, 2016 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tuttle Creek Project will increase outflows to drop lake levels, consistent with the annual Water Level Management Plan.
This seasonal adjustment minimizes ice damage, provides additional storage capacity for spring rains and favorable habitat conditions for the lake’s fishery spawning next spring.
The target peak of 4,000 cubic feet per second for the increased releases will occur on or around Wednesday, Dec. 7 and continue until lake elevation drops approximately 8 feet. Winter pool elevation of 1072 feet (above mean sea level) is expected to be reached during the week of December 19th. Outflows will then decrease to match the lake’s inflow or maintain minimum downstream flow targets through the winter.
Scheduled operations are based on typical seasonal forecasts and are subject to change resulting from rainfall fluctuations throughout the Tuttle Creek and Kansas River watersheds. For current lake levels and forecast information visit http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil and click “Water Management”.
Cold season boaters and anglers need to remember that low lake levels influence underwater conditions. Be watchful for submerged obstacles and always wear a lifejacket.
For additional information, contact the Tuttle Creek Lake Office at 785-539-8511 or by email at Tuttle.Creek@usace.army.mil.
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Release no. #PA-2016-58