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Update: As Tuttle Creek Lake rises, officials planning for potential water releases

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By on Local News, Pottawatomie County, Riley County
Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN
Tuttle Creek Lake level showed just under 1,132 feet Sunday morning. Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN

MANHATTAN — Tuttle Creek Lake is expected to reach an elevation of 1,132.96 feet by Monday.

At this point, no evacuation advisories have been issued for any parts of Riley County of Pottawatomie County, aside from Saturday’s notice that went out to the Rocky Ford Campground and visitors to Tuttle Creek State Park. Still, residents are advised to remain alert and make preparations in case evacuation becomes necessary.  According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, if the lake level is forecast to reach 1,136 feet, the Corps will begin surcharge operations and use the outlet works (the tubes) in an effort to keep Tuttle Creek Lake below that elevation.

Officials have now closed the Rocky Ford and Riverpond areas below the dam. The Kansas Highway Patrol will close all vehicle access on eastbound Kansas Highway 13 (the road across the dam) at 7 a.m. Monday. Access to Tuttle Cove Road and Riley County Fire Station 12 off Highway 13 will remain open. There have been many safety concerns from KHP due to increases vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN

Special Needs Forms intended for individuals or their loved ones whose health condition would necessitate additional resources should an evacuation become necessary or if they lost power, are being provided by the Riley County Health Department website .The Riley County Health Department can also be reached at (785) 776-4779.

American Red Cross is establishing shelter locations and resources in the event residents are evacuated. No evacuation advisories or orders have been issued and no shelter locations have been opened.

Riley and Pottawatomie Counties have ordered additional inventory of tetanus booster (TDAP) shots for emergency responders, clean-up crews, and others exposed to flood waters or debris from clean-up efforts. Riley County Health Department will be administering TDAP vaccine during the Northview Block Party on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Northview Park (510 Griffith Drive).

If a release from the spillway gates becomes necessary, residents downstream will be notified as soon as information is available.

Sign up for Emergency Alerts to receive direct notification of flooding and severe weather.
• Riley County Emergency Alerts https://www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts (785) 537-6333
• Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts https://www.pottcounty.org/eAlerts (785) 457-3358
• A floodplain map is available at www.cityofmhk.com/floodmap. Residents living in areas highlighted in red and yellow should begin making preparations now.

 

Saturday 8 p.m. update

People gather to view waters coming out of the Tuttle Creek spillway Friday evening. The lake is forecast to reach 1,133.71 feet by Monday. Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN
MANHATTAN — With a forecast for more rain on the way, an evacuation advisory has been issued for the Rocky Ford Campground at Tuttle Creek Lake and Tuttle Creek State Park below the dam.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service says the most recent forecast is for the lake to reach a level of 1,133.71 feet by Monday. All occupants of the Rocky Ford Campground, as well as all visitors at Tuttle Creek State Park below the dam are asked to exit the area. The Rocky Ford Campground is lake campground south of Tuttle Creek State Park below the dam and east of the Big Blue River off Beach Drive. In addition, residents should expect road closures to the dam in the coming days.
An evacuation advisory is to notify residents or property owners that their property may be flooded or their access to the property may be impacted. At this time, evacuation is recommended; however, you may be ordered to evacuate in the near future.
The lake, as of Saturday reached 1,130.36 feet and was nearing 1,131 feet by midday. Officials say if a level of 1,136 feet is forecast based on weather conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin releasing water from the tubes in an effort to manage the lake level without a spillway release. A release from the tubes should not cause flooding downstream. Officials say if a release from the spillway gates becomes necessary, residents downstream will be notified as soon as information is available.
Three day forecast information is available here: http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/nwk/lakepool.txt.
On Friday, the lake rose to the second highest level in its history. In fact, the lake had never risen above With more significant rainfall expected for the next few days, flash flooding lso becomes a danger in Riley and Pottawatomie counties, especially near Wildcat Creek. Residents in all of these areas are advised to stay alert and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The City of Manhattan installed electronic reader boards Thursday evening in the Northview area of Manhattan, advising residents to stay alert and make plans in advance of potential flooding. This one was placed near Marlatt Ave. and Casement Road. Photo by Brandon Peoples/KMAN
Sign up for Emergency Alerts to receive direct notification of flooding and severe weather.
• Riley County Emergency Alerts https://www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts (785) 537-6333
• Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts https://www.pottcounty.org/eAlerts(785) 457-3358
• A floodplain map is available at www.cityofmhk.com/floodmap. Residents living in areas highlighted in red and yellow should begin making preparations now.
Notification types and meanings:
Residents of projected flood affected areas may receive one or all of the following depending which of the respective evacuation zones they live in:
A. High Water Advisory– An advisory that notifies residents or property owners that their property may receive high water or their access to their property may be impacted.
B. Evacuation Advisory– An advisory to notify residents or property owners that their property may be flooded or their access to the property may be impacted, evacuation is recommended, and that they may be ordered to evacuate in the near future.
C. Evacuation Order– A notification of “Imminent Danger” to notify residents or property owners that their property may be flooded or their access to the property may be severely impacted. This order to evacuate is considered as mandatory for non-residents as a curfew is important for security of the affected areas.
Other steps residents should take include:
• Making an emergency kit https://www.redcross.org/…/how-t…/survival-kit-supplies.html
• Creating a household evacuation plan that includes pets https://www.redcross.org/…/how-to-prepare-…/make-a-plan.html
• Connecting with neighbors to make plans and share information
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KMAN Program Director and The Mercury news reporter. Contact Brandon at Brandon@1350kman.com

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