Tuttle Creek Lake nears level before controlled releases begin

Tuttle Creek Lake is only a few feet away from reaching the level where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will take steps to keep it rising any further, the City of Manhattan says.

Currently, they expect the lake to reach an elevation of 1,132.96 feet on Monday. If that projected level reaches 1,136, however, engineers will begin their surcharge operations and use the outlet works to keep it there.

They plan

about 15,000 gallons per second Wednesday through the outlet tubes. They do not plan to open the spillway gates at this time.

The City is asking everyone who lives near the lake to stay alert and prepare for a possible evacuation, in case it becomes necessary. All campers and visitors to the Rocky Ford and Riverpond areas in the state park – and below the dam – have already been asked to leave and the sites closed.

At 7 a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol closed eastbound K-13, where the road starts across the dam over concerns about a lot of vehicles and pedestrians potentially heading that way. Drivers will still be able to get to Tuttle Cove Road and Riley Co. Fire Station 12 from the highway.

Latest flood information from the City can be found at:

Anyone wanting emergency alerts about flooding and severe weather can sign up for them at:

If evacuation becomes necessary, residents will be alerted via the Riley and Pottawatomie Co. Emergency Alert Systems. They will go to every cell phone in the affected areas. They will also be going door-to-door to make sure everyone knows they need to leave. In addition, they will reach out to local media, including 13 NEWS, for them to broadcast the information.

People in projected flood affected areas may receive one or all of the following depending which of the respective evacuation zones they live in:

An advisory that notifies residents or property owners that their property may receive high water or their access to their property may be impacted.

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.

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.

The Riley Co. Health Dept. has also put out a Special Medical Needs Form for people or their loved ones who may need additional resources if an evacuation is ordered. That form is available

or by calling 785-776-4779.