Sediment management in area reservoirs was a main focus for the Neosho River Regional Advisory Committee when it convened in Emporia Wednesday morning.
Attention was specifically given to a presentation from Josh Olson of the Kansas Water Office regarding sediment management demonstration projects — alternative methods for sediment management — currently being explored at the state level. Traditionally, sediment management has been handled through dredging bodies of water, such as the work that took place at the John Redmond Reservoir between May and October of 2016.
According to Olson, the project removed around 3 million cubic yards of sediment and cost around $20 million. With disposal sites decreasing and the cost of materials and work constantly on the rise, Olson noted this form of management may not be the most feasible or financially responsible option moving forward.
As such, he proposed several alternative means including water injection dredging which separates and mobilizes particles to make them easier to wash away. The Kansas Water Office is planning a pilot program for the method in Tuttle Creek next year, a venture RAC Chair Joe Buchannan says they will be keeping a close eye on.
Buchanan notes there are some major differences between Tuttle Creek and the various reservoirs contained within the Neosho/Cottonwood River Basin namely that the Neosho/Cottonwood reservoirs — John Redmond, Council Grove and Marion — are interconnected.
Additional suggestions for alternative methods included hydrosuction which uses suction energy to clear sediment from the reservoir. Buchanan tells KVOE News that Olson’s presentation was extremely informative and led to many questions for RAC members.
He says having several options to explore is always a positive given the significant issue that sedimentation has been and continues to be for local reservoirs.
No exact date for launching the Tuttle pilot program was mentioned during Wednesday’s meeting.
