MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Tuttle Creek Lake has risen forty-nine feet above typical summer pool, to an elevation of 1124 feet above sea level. This is the third highest pool of record. Visitors should be aware most lakeside parks and facilities are closed or significantly impacted. These areas will likely remain closed for some time once flood waters recede to allow for significant cleanup and repair efforts.
Tuttle Creek Cove and Stockdale Parks are closed through at least June 23. Notices have been sent to customers with campsite reservations advising their reservation has been cancelled with a full refund.
The Tuttle Creek Off-Road Vehicle Area near Randolph, KS remains open with some 30% of the riding area inaccessible due to flood waters.
Impacts to Tuttle Creek State Park include very limited services at Wildcat Marina in Cedar Ridge, closure of utility campsites at Fancy Creek, and partial inundation of lower elevation trails. All other areas, including River Pond, remain unaffected and open.
All lakeside boat ramps are closed. Ramps located in River Pond (downstream of the dam) remain open with no impacts.
Despite boat ramps being inaccessible, Park Rangers continue to see limited boat traffic presumably from dock owners and visitors launching off roadways. Vessels are not prohibited from the lake, but the Corps of Engineers does not advise launching off roadways. Boaters should use caution as underwater obstructions and floating debris is significant and may not be visible.
Visitors can anticipate continued high water for the foreseeable future, until flooding on the Kansas and Missouri Rivers subsides. Additional closures may occur should Tuttle Creek Lake continue to rise. Likewise, the area downstream of the dam at River Pond and Outlet Park may see impacts should significant water releases occur. No significant releases are planned for the next four days.
Daily status reports for lake levels and releases are available by calling (785) 539-8511, or by visiting the lake Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USACETuttle
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