Clinton and Perry lakes see a rise after early June rainfall
Over the first week of June, northeast Kansas experienced intense precipitation, with several inches of rainfall recorded in multiple areas. As a result, federal officials report that water levels at key reservoirs such as Clinton Lake and Perry Lake have risen notably. According to the Kansas City District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Clinton Lake rose by 2.3 feet, while Perry Lake climbed by 0.75 feet. These increases support seasonal targets for wildlife and fisheries within these bodies of water.
Smaller increases were recorded at Tuttle Creek Lake and Milford Lake, though their gains did not exceed half a foot. Despite this limited input, both are now making controlled releases downstream, mirroring the actions at Clinton and Perry.
USACE is carefully regulating these discharges to maintain downstream water quality and meet supply obligations, releasing no more than 1,500 cubic feet per second from Clinton and Perry, and somewhat smaller amounts from Tuttle Creek and Milford.
Most Kansas lakes reach seasonal targets — except Wilson
Among the six main Kansas lakes monitored by the Corps — Milford, Tuttle Creek, Perry, Clinton, Kanopolis, and Wilson — five are now above their normal pool level, filled to seasonal elevation goals. This aids in the preservation of aquatic ecosystems and recreational access.
Wilson Lake, however, remains a stubborn outlier. As of Monday, June 9, it is reported to be nearly five feet below its standard level. Kanopolis Lake, in contrast, saw an earlier improvement from rain events prior to June 2, leaving it more than one foot above normal.
Drought conditions remain in central and western Kansas
Despite these improvements in northeast Kansas, drought conditions continue to affect central and western regions. Wilson Lake remains severely impacted by deficits from a dry winter, and recent rain did little to change its situation.
The USACE’s ongoing reservoir management is designed to respond dynamically to such conditions. While strategic water releases continue, the long-term impacts of earlier drought have not been fully resolved. Many Kansas lakes are still trending below normal, particularly where recent rains failed to reach.
As of today, Tuesday, June 10, Kansas stands at a crossroads between short-term recovery and the lingering grip of regional drought.
