Heavy rainfall in the region throughout the past couple months has lake and river levels up, but Operations Project Manager Brian McNulty of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assured Manhattan city commissioners Tuesday night in City Hall that a lot of water would still need to enter Tuttle Creek Lake for any repeat of the 1993 flood.
McNulty said the elevation of the lake is just over 1,109 feet, or 34 feet above normal. City Manager Ron Fehr said the region is much more prepared for flood conditions today than they were 22 years ago.
So far June is on track to beat its monthly rainfall average and last month the region saw double its normal amount of rainfall with over 10 inches of precipitation.
McNulty said city, county and dam officials have been working on contingency plans this year in case flooding becomes threatening. City commissioner Usha Reddi said those plans and computer models are reassuring.
McNulty said the lake would have to raise to 1,136 feet before water would run over the gates. The current level is just over 1,109 feet. City Manager Ron Fehr said communities will be alerted if increased outflow from the dam threatens any homes near rivers.
Manhattan city commissioners approved to amend the Preliminary Development Plan of Manhattan Christian College’s expansion Tuesday night in city hall. The amendment scraps a proposed 500-seat chapel/music building and expands parking instead for that space. The proposal also includes construction of a new Student Life Center/Gymnasium and that will have seating for 250 spectators.
Lori Jo Stanfield, the Vice President for Business Affairs of MCC, told commissioners shes excited to see progress.
Manhattan Mayor Karen McCulloh told Stanfield the new gymnasium can be a benefit to not just MCC, but the city as well.
The proposed building would by over 16,000 square feet and be 32 feet tall.
MCC Athletic Director Shawn Condra said basketball and volleyball teams will be thankful to have a facility to call their own after years of renting city facilities. Condra said sharing facilities has caused headaches in availability for teams.
The proposed building will also include locker rooms, a weight room, office space and other amenities .
