Truman Lake approaching new flood crest

Truman Lake continues to rise, closing several campgrounds and beaches managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
All of the Corps marinas remain open.

High water ramps at Berry Bend, Talley Bend and Shawnee Bend, along with boat ramps at Osage Bluff and Sparrowfoot, remain open.
Heavy rain in the Osage Valley drainage basin, which includes Truman Lake, have caused the flooding, said Dan Sandersfeld, natural resource specialist with the Corps at Truman Lake. The drainage basin is very large, extending west into Kansas and south to Stockton Lake.

“If we get a bunch of rain in any of these regions, it all goes here,” he said.

The lake has yet to crest, Sandersfeld said. It’s elevation is predicted to rise by Sunday to 728.5, which is 22.5 feet above normal conservation pool, according to a press release from the Corps. The normal conservation pool is 706 feet above mean sea level.

The Corps is unable to release significant amounts of water due to flooding of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, Sandersfeld said. The agency plans to release small amounts of water beginning Wednesday.

Workers at Sterett Creek Resort and Marina were shuttling boaters to the marina, as the walkway was under water, said employee Larry Wright. The high water resulted in a “considerably slow” day of three customers by late afternoon Wednesday, Wright said.

Many back roads were under water, and Corps officials were warning motorists against crossing any place covered in water. They also cautioned boaters to beware of debris carried into the lake by rivers and streams.

Sandersfeld suggests those with questions about campsite closures call the reservation service at (877) 444-6777, or check online at www.recreation.gov.

For questions about facilities within Harry S. Truman State Park, call (660) 438-7711.

Daily lake information is available at (660) 438-7317, ext. 2, or http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/ht/.

snail@sedaliademocrat.com