By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
“Protecting lives is our No. 1 priority,” said Col. Doug Guttormsen, Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District Commander in a news release Thursday, as they are using Wilson and Kanopolis Lakes to retain water that would have a significant impact where flooding is already occurring.
“We are not releasing water from the two lakes in order to not worsen conditions downstream,” said Dan Hays, operations manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers at Kanopolis and Wilson lakes.
“They have a confluence (in Saline County) where flooding is really occurring and, by us holding water back, hopefully we are helping mediate the impacts there.”
The release at both reservoirs is currently at the required minimum, while reservoir levels are slowing rising.
Hays expects water already moving into the reservoirs will raise levels at Kanopolis another 4 feet and Wilson another foot.
Water at Wilson Lake is being released at 15 cubic feet per second to maintain water quality downstream while water is filling the flood pool.
At Kanopolis Lake, the bottom of the designed overflow notch is full with the only water being released from the lake going over the edge of the notch.
Hays said the rise at the lake is “fairly substantial,” but was at a similar level last fall.
With more rain expected in coming days, Hays said there is potential to see a significant increase in levels if there is heavy rain, but there is currently no danger to the surrounding areas.
“The dams are functioning as designed,” he said. “We have the storage space to hold those flood waters should they come.
“Unfortunately that comes to impact lake users,” Hays said. “With an increasing lake, some of the facilities become a little less accessible.”
While the two largest reservoirs in the area being monitored closely, other area lakes are full or near full as well.
The Plainville Township Lake is listed as full Thursday, according to the Kanas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism.
Webster Lake is 1.17 feet above conservation level, and Stockton Lake is also 12 feet above normal.
The Ellis City and Big Creek Lakes are also full.
Harlan County Lake is only slightly above normal elevation and discharging at 150 cubic feet per second.
With many planning on traveling to lakes over the holiday weekend, Hays offered a few tips for people who plan to gather around the reservoirs.
“I would recommend that they call ahead and check to make sure that the facilities they are hoping to use are open and available,” he said.
He also said flooded roadways should be avoided and barricades should be respected.
Hazards may be present in the lakes, as well.
“If they do get out on the water, with the inflows, we do have some floating debris,” Hays said.
For more information about current lake levels visit the KDWPT website by clicking here.