17 Apr 2026

Kanopolis Dam Project Extended to Enhance Downstream Protection; Lake Levels Rise as Gates Close

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, has announced an extension to the major outlet channel repair project at Kanopolis Dam. The project will now include the placement of additional riprap downstream to increase erosion protection, with an expected completion date in July. This significant repair project, which addresses issues identified in a 2020 inspection, has been underway to fix erosion and other damages in the outlet channel. The initial work involved replacing existing riprap and addressing the underlying geology that contributed to erosion since the dam's completion in 1948. Although the channel work is complete, this new phase adds another layer of riprap downstream from the outlet channel to provide enhanced stability.

10 Apr 2026

Tuttle Creek Update for Spring Session

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, announce the completion of the spring period for the Tuttle Creek Reservoir Water Injection Dredging Demonstration on April 10th 2026. The project experienced an initial delay because of a fuel tank incident, and the demonstration was later extended from a planned 10 days to 15 days due to persistent high winds and lightning.

26 Mar 2026

Second pilot project for innovative Water Injection Dredging set to begin at Tuttle Creek Lake after delay

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Kansas Water Office, is pleased to announce the start of the second demonstration period for the innovative Water Injection Dredging project at Tuttle Creek Lake following last week’s delay. The second demonstration period will take place from March 26 – April 4, 2026, providing a real-world assessment of Water Injection Dredging's effectiveness in sedimentation management within inland reservoirs. This pioneering project aims to evaluate Water Injection Dredging (WID) as a potential alternative to traditional mechanical dredging. WID technology uses a pressurized and controlled injection of water to loosen sediment from the lakebed, allowing it to be carried downstream by the natural current.

25 Mar 2026

Tuttle Creek Lake Fuel Tank Incident Update

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announce that following the successful recovery of a submerged fuel tank at Tuttle Creek Lake, the comprehensive water quality sampling and monitoring plan continues to guide response decisions. The health and safety of the public and the protection of the environment remain the top priority and the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved remain focused on mitigating any potential impacts from last week’s diesel fuel spill at Tuttle Creek Lake.

19 Mar 2026

Agencies Recover Fuel Tank, Cleanup Continues at Tuttle Creek Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announce that the submerged fuel tank at Tuttle Creek Lake was successfully recovered Wednesday, March 18. With the fuel release successfully contained within the cove, cleanup efforts are now the primary focus. Following the recovery of the tank, an inspection confirmed its contents were released into this contained area, where response crews continue to work on mitigation. The first round of testing from KDHE showed no fuel-related contaminants in the samples taken from the cove where the spill occurred. More extensive tests are being conducted downstream of the stilling basin to ensure conditions remain safe.