Lake campgrounds close in Kansas due to high water levels

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Some Kansas campgrounds are temporarily closed this summer due to the aftereffects of recent rainfall.

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reports on its newly created Recreation Operational Status website that several campgrounds across Kansas are not accessible this month due to high water levels. The Tulsa District of the USACE published a list of the campgrounds which are temporarily closed due to flooding.

The closures come alongside other recreational shutdowns the USACE announced earlier this year that went into effect on May 15 due to a staffing shortage. Many parts of Kansas recently received large amounts of rainfall which have raised the water levels at some reservoirs maintained by USACE staff.

The Tulsa District of the USACE published a new list of recreational closures on June 23 that include areas which are closed due to high water and staffing issues. The full list of impacted reservoirs is below:

• Council Grove
  • Canning Creek – #1-5, 18-19, 26-28 are closed due to flooding.
  • Santa Fe Trail – #1-13 are closed due to flooding.
  • Outlet East – May 15 to July 1 temporary closure due to staffing shortage.
  • Kit Carson – closed due to staffing shortage and flooding.
  • Richey Cove – May 15 to July 1 temporary closure due to staffing. Closure also in effect due to flooding.
• John Redmond
  • Dam Site – closed due to flooding.
  • Hartford Boat Ramp – closed due to flooding.
  • Strawn Boat Ramp – closed due to high water.
  • Otter Creek ORV Area – closed due to high water.
  • Hickory Creek East – closed due to high water.
  • Hickory Creek West (Ottumwa) – closed due to high water.
• Marion
  • Overlook – open, restrooms are closed for repairs.
  • Cottonwood – #9-23, 38-94, 95-107, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147 are closed due to flooding.
  • Hillsboro Cove – #1 + 11 are closed due to maintenance. #12-23 and 44-51 are closed due to flooding.
  • French Creek – all closed due to flooding.
  • Marion Cove – closed due to flooding. Boat ramp remains open.
• Fall River
  • Overlook – open, restroom closed due to maintenance.
  • Whitehall Bay – June 11 to June 30 temporary closure due to road maintenance.
  • Overlook Boat Ramp – closed due to flooding.
  • North Rock Ridge Boat Ramp – closed due to flooding.
• Elk City
  • Overlook – open, but restroom is closed due to repairs.

For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf