Background
Water Control Manuals, or WCMs, are operating manuals for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, dams. USACE makes day to day decisions about releasing water through its dams according to Water Control Plans, or WCPs, that are included in dam specific-WCMs. The objective of all WCMs include operating the dam and reservoir for the purposes authorized by Congress and other applicable law, maintain the structural integrity and operation integrity of the dam (sometimes called a “project” to include reservoir operations) and avoid risk to public health and safety, life and property.
The WCMs are being updated because Congress provided direction and funding in Fiscal Year 2022 for USACE districts across the nation to update WCMs to evaluate and potentially update WCPs as necessary, include a drought contingency plan for managing water releases from dams when there is a drought and meet new requirements for formatting and updating information. Each WCM and its WCP was developed when each project was authorized. They are updated periodically to determine whether there are changes in the physical, environmental and social conditions that need to be accounted for in a dam’s operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question or comment* about the Kansas City District's WCM updates? Submit it HERE
*Comments about individual reservoirs or the system as a whole can be submitted until November 30, 2023. Comments, questions and information submitted in writing by November 30, 2023, will be summarized in the draft environmental assessment.
Background
Clinton Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated reservoir located on Wakarusa River in northwestern Douglas County, Kansas. Congress used the Flood Control Act of 1962 to authorize the construction of Clinton Lake. USACE began work on the reservoir in December 1971, with multipurpose operation beginning in November 1977. The authorized purposes for the dam are flood risk reduction, water quality, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation and recreation. Clinton Lake is one lake in a network of lakes, including Perry Lake, Tuttle Creek Lake and Milford Lake, that operate in parallel with each other. This network functions as a system to play a vital role in managing water resources in the Kansas River Basin for their respective nearby and downstream communities.
Congress provided direction and funding in Fiscal Year 2022 for USACE districts across the nation to update Water Control Manuals, or WCMs to evaluate whether any changes in physical, social and environmental conditions around the dam warrant updating the WCP, include a drought contingency plan and meet new requirements for formatting and updating information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question or comment* about Clinton Lake's WCM update? Submit it HERE
*Comments about individual reservoirs or the system as a whole can be submitted until November 30, 2023. Comments, questions and information submitted in writing by November 30, 2023, will be summarized in the draft environmental assessment.
Clinton Lake Homepage
Clinton Lake Map
Clinton Lake Value to the Nation
Background
Milford Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated reservoir located on the Republican River, a tributary to the Kansas River, near Junction City, Kansas. Milford Lake was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1954. The authorized purposes are flood risk reduction, water quality, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation and navigation (authorized but not an operating purpose). Construction of the reservoir began in 1962 and operation of the dam began 1967. Milford Lake is one lake in a larger network of lakes, including Clinton Lake, Perry Lake and Tuttle Creek Lake, that operate in parallel with each other. This network functions as a system to play a vital role in managing water resources in the Kansas River Basin for their respective nearby and downstream communities.
Congress provided direction and funding in Fiscal Year 2022 for USACE districts across the nation to update Water Control Manuals, or WCMs, to evaluate whether any changes in physical, social and environmental conditions around the dam warrant updating the WCP, include a drought contingency plan and meet new requirements for formatting and updating information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question or comment* about Milford Lake's WCM update? Submit it HERE
*Comments about individual reservoirs or the system as a whole can be submitted until November 30, 2023. Comments, questions and information submitted in writing by November 30, 2023, will be summarized in the draft environmental assessment.
Milford Lake Homepage
Milford Lake Map
Milford Lake Value to the Nation
Background
Perry Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated reservoir located on the Delaware River in northeast Jefferson County, Kansas. Its authorized purposes are flood risk management, water quality, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation, recreation and navigation (authorized but not an operating purpose). The lake is approximately 11,150 acres in size. Perry Lake is one lake in a larger network of lakes, including Clinton Lake, Tuttle Creek Lake, Milford Lake, Kanopolis Lake and Wilson Lake, that operate in parallel with each other. This network functions as a system to play a vital role in managing water resources in the Kansas River Basin for their respective nearby and downstream communities. Perry Lake is located about 40 miles west of Kansas City, just northwest of Lawrence, Kansas. Its close proximity to Kansas City, Lawrence and the state capitol, Topeka, make it a very popular destination.
Congress provided direction and funding in Fiscal Year 2022 for USACE districts across the nation to update Water Control Manuals, or WCMs, to evaluate whether any changes in physical, social and environmental conditions around the dam warrant updating the WCP, include a drought contingency plan and meet new requirements for formatting and updating information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question or comment* about Perry Lake's WCM update? Submit it HERE
*Comments about individual reservoirs or the system as a whole can be submitted until November 30, 2023. Comments, questions and information submitted in writing by November 30, 2023, will be summarized in the draft environmental assessment.
Perry Lake Homepage
Perry Lake Map
Perry Lake Value to the Nation
Background
Tuttle Creek Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated lake located on the Big Blue River in the Flint Hills Region of Northeast Kansas. Congress authorized construction of the reservoir under The Flood Control Act of 1938. The authorized purposes are flood risk reduction, water quality, water supply, fish and wildlife conservation and recreation. In the mainstem Kansas River Basin, only Tuttle Creek Lake has a water quality pool that is to be used to maintain flow targets on the Kansas River. Construction occurred intermittently between early 1950s and 1960s. Operations began on July 1, 1962. Tuttle Creek Lake is one lake in a larger network of lakes, including Clinton Lake, Perry Lake and Milford Lake, that operate in parallel with each other. This network functions as a system to play a vital role in managing water resources in the Kansas River Basin for their respective nearby and downstream communities.
Congress provided direction and funding in Fiscal Year 2022 for USACE districts across the nation to update Water Control Manuals, or WCMs, to evaluate whether any changes in physical, social and environmental conditions around the dam warrant updating the WCP, include a drought contingency plan and meet new requirements for formatting and updating information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question or comment* about Tuttle Creek Lake's WCM update? Submit it HERE
*Comments about individual reservoirs or the system as a whole can be submitted until November 30, 2023. Comments, questions and information submitted in writing by November 30, 2023, will be summarized in the draft environmental assessment.
Tuttle Creek Lake Homepage
Tuttle Creek Lake Map
Tuttle Creek Lake Value to the Nation
For more information on Pomme de Terre Lake's Water Control Manual update, click HERE.
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a law that requires all federal agencies to take a 'hard look' at how their actions may affect the human and natural environment. It spells out the steps an agency must take to identify environmental issues that need to be considered, identify options or alternatives that would correct the problems identified and explain its final decision while complying with environmental regulations. NEPA also gives the public a voice in the decision-making process about the proposed actions. The public is asked to provide input through public meetings and opportunities to provide written comments. The first opportunity happens during the scoping phase. Additional opportunities occur when the environmental review is complete and alternatives for action identified. These comments will be considered before the federal agency makes a final decision.