PERRY, Kan. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Perry Lake will dewater the water control structures to perform a safety inspection beginning Aug. 17 through Sept. 1.
The Outlet Park on both sides of the spillway will be closed to the public throughout this inspection.
Dam safety inspections are a vital part of the Corps mission. Formal engineering inspections are performed every five years.
Completed in 1969, Perry Lake covers 11,158 acres, expanding to 42,656 acres during periods of heavy rain as excess runoff is stored to reduce downstream flooding. The lake works in conjunction with several other Corps operated lakes to provide flood risk reduction for the Kansas River Basin.
“The safety and performance of our dams is a top priority for the Corps of Engineers. During the periodic inspection, we will closely examine the conditions of all of the dam's critical components, including the embankment, tower, gates, spillway, relief wells and stilling basin,” says Scott Mensing, Dam Safety Program Manager. “By dewatering the stilling basin area, we are able to closely inspect the condition of the conduit, stilling basin and outlet channel. We will also take the opportunity to perform preventive maintenance to the stilling basin at this time.”
“To ensure we maintain a safe environment for our employees and the visiting public we will close access to both the east and west side of Outlet Park as we begin the inspection on Aug. 17,” says Jason Hurley, Perry Lake park manager. “The scheduled work will be completed prior to the Labor Day weekend. I anticipate that Outlet Park will be open on or before Sept. 1.”
Other benefits of Perry Lake include recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, navigation releases and water storage/supply for downstream communities.
For additional questions, contact the Perry Lake Project Office at (785) 597-5144.