Phase I complete in John Redmond dredging project

The dredging project began after a study was completed that determined the water supply needs in the region could not be sustained during a 1950s-like drought. Building new reservoirs or importing water were ideas considered, but dredging was ultimately decided to be the most cost-effective and reasonable solution.

“In 2012, we started the planning process to conduct this large-scale dredging project to restore water supply storage at John Redmond,” Director of Kansas Water Office Tracy Streeter said. “This project was vital for the area. The reservoir is a supply source to 19 communities and six industrial users, including Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Station.”

Sediment from the bottom of the reservoir and water has been dredged and pumped through more than 30,000 feet of pipe. A total of 3,000,000 cubic yards of sediment was removed from John Redmond. This will increase the storage capacity of the lake and ensure water supply will remain plentiful in times of drought.

The sediment that was removed from the lake was placed in confined disposal facilities on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land and private property. Two landowners agreed to accept approximately 320 surface acres of sediment on their land. Only sediment deposited since lake construction was removed to ensure construction characteristics and contours were maintained.

Phase I is completed, but there are still several more steps before the dredging project is officially concluded.

“Completion of Phase I dredging operations at John Redmond does not signify ‘mission accomplished’ in efforts to restore lost water supply storage to satisfy projected demand into the future,” Streeter said. “Additional work in the watershed above John Redmond to reduce the sedimentation rate, evaluation of other water supplies as well as future restoration work to remove sediment within the reservoir is still necessary to ensure future water supply demand is met through the year 2045 in the Neosho River Basin.”

John Redmond Reservoir was constructed due to the large amount of flooding that occurred in the area. Before construction, the Neosho River had flooded 57 times in the 34 years of recorded history. The work began in June 1959 with major construction being completed in December 1965.

The John Redmond Reservoir provides flood protection, water supply, water quality benefits and recreational opportunities. As of 2010, John Redmond Reservoir had reduced cumulative flood damages by more than $739 million.