TULSA — Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in Kansas prevented more than $48.7 million in flood damages in 2010 and more than $3 billion in flood damages since they were placed in full operation.

Tulsa District manages eight multi-purpose lakes in southern Kansas. They are John Redmond Reservoir, Marion Reservoir, Council Grove Lake, Big Hill Lake, Fall River Lake, Toronto Lake, El Dorado Lake, and Elk City Lake.

The Corps calculates the flood damage prevented by comparing flood damages that would have occurred if the lake was not in existence and the damage from flooding since the lake was constructed. The difference is the flood damages prevented. The dam allows the Corps to control the amount of water that is released from the reservoir depending on the downstream water level. Without the dam and reservoir, additional significant flooding in the area could be possible during rain events.

“Tulsa District lakes in Kansas continue to serve their purpose of providing flood risk management to the surrounding communities,” said Eugene Goff, Kansas area manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District. “Since they were built, they have prevented billions of dollars in flood damage, and the Corps of Engineers is dedicated to ensuring that they continue to fulfill their purpose of providing flood risk management to the state.”