Though John Redmond Reservoir near Burlington, Kansas was originally constructed
for the purpose of flood control, the lake is a valuable water storage point
for the State of Kansas.
Thousands of feet of steel pipe will transport sediment into confined
disposal facilities where the sediment will remain while water is drained by
separate pipes into the Neosho River below the lake.
More than 76 percent, of the reservoir is dedicated to water supply storage
for the Kansas Water Office, which oversees the Sunflower State’s water usage for
its municipal and industrial customers.
Over time, inflows from the Neosho River, runoff, and natural biological processes
in the lake caused sediment to build up. The Kansas Water Office estimates more
than 30,000 acre feet of storage has been covered with sediment in the 52 years
since the lake began operating.
To recover storage for its water, the Kansas Water Office will begin
dredging at John Redmond, May 17.
The Kansas Water Office anticipates dredging activity at John Redmond will
continue through the end of December 2016 and will remove some 3 million cubic
yards of sediment.
Construction of John Redmond Lake began in June 1959. The project was
completed for full flood control operation in September 1964. Its missions
include: Flood control, water supply, water quality control, recreation and
other wildlife objectives.