City Submits Technical Grant Application to Address Lake Siltation

The City of Lake Quivira submitted a grant application on September 11, 2026, to the Kansas Water Office, the state's water planning, policy, coordination, and marketing agency, to fund technical assistance to address siltation and water contamination issues related to our lake and contributing waterways. These efforts are part of a broader lake management plan needed to ensure the lake's long-term vitality to address silt and related contaminants in our lake.

Sponsored by the City with support from Q Inc. Board of Directors, the grant application seeks funding for technical assistance to evaluate silt conditions, remediation options, and related costs. The Kansas Water Office will announce its grant recipients in early 2027.

Lake Quvira’s grant application cites the results of a 2026 bathymetric mapping study of the lake. The Q Inc. Board approved the $15,000 expenditure on February 23, 2026. Biologists with Midwest Lake Management tested the lake in April and May, 10 years after their initial testing in 2016.

The bathymetric mapping study generated these key findings, when comparing 2016 and 2026 results:

• The water depth at the dam has decreased to 41feet, a 6-foot reduction over the past 10 years, representing a 12.3% reductionin water depth.
• Extensive silting has reduced the lake’s water capacity by 2 million gallons of water, a reduction of 5 percent. This reduction increases the risk of flooding and the toxic algae bloom in the lake.
• The average lake depth across the entire lake is16.5 feet compared to 16.9 feet in 2016, and more than 19 inches over the past 40 years.

The Bathymetricstudy identified the following impact areas, listed in order of priority:

Horse Barn/East Side Silt Basin – Thisbasin is approximately 50% full, causing silt from Tooley Creek to pass throughit directly into the lake. Recommended remediation includes draining this basinand mechanically cleaning it to remove the silt from the basin. Siltremediation in this area will dramatically impede future siltation of the lakeitself.

Treasure Island Cove – This area andassociated back channels are a critical priority location for silt remediation,primarily due to high boat traffic. The 2026 bathymetric study shows thefour-foot depth line has decreased dramatically since 2016.

Duck Island Cove – Data indicates thiscove is negatively impacted by silt, which has obstructed boat traffic aroundDuck Island.

South End Cove – Data shows this cove hasexperienced a significant reduction in depth in the three- to four-foot lines.

Golf Course Cove/Lakeshore East by golfcourse holes no 12/13 - This area is negatively impacted by silt and showsa significant reduction in the three-to-four-foot depth lines.

West Side Coves – The five coves alongwith western shore of the lake have all realized a significant loss in depth. Remediationactivities would include mechanically scooping silt in the very back of eachcove.

Inlets/Waterways- Two creeks and other inlets emptying in the lake also are impacted bysiltation. Remediation efforts must address these areas to prevent and/or limitfuture siltation of the coves where silt flows into the lake.

• ‍Tooley Creek Waterway (upstream from the Horse Barn/East Side silt basin) – This creek originates in Shawnee before reaching Lake Quivira. It has been the major contributor to silt coming into the lake. Prior to construction of Lake Quivira, Tooley Creek traveled directly o the Kansas River. The Horse Barn Silt Basin was built in response to development in Shawnee beginning in the 1970s. Anticipated future remediation includes silt removal and the installation of preventative rip-rap erosion control measures long the creek upstream from the lake and nearby homes to slowdown the flow of water and to catch the silt before it enters the lake.
• ‍Duck Island Creek – This creek feeds intoDuck Island Cove and has contributed to its siltation. Anticipated remediationincludes silt removal and the installation of preventative rip-rap erosioncontrol measures along the creek upstream from the lake and nearby homes toslow down the flow of water and to catch the silt before it enters the lake.
• ‍Golf Course Inlet – Project work willbuild on prior efforts to expand capacity and install rap erosion control.

The grant application is one step in a multi-pronged approach in development to address extensive silting in the lake and contributing waterways. A subcommittee of Q Inc.'s Lake & Residential Committee joined with the Fishing Club to form the Dredging Subcommittee, led by resident Joanne Hanson, to spearhead efforts to document and address silt conditions, to evaluate remediation options and funding sources, and to consider a longer-term approach to effective lake management.

The Dredging Subcommittee secured preliminary silt remediation bids during the summer of2026 to address priority areas, but neither Q Inc. nor the City have adequate funding to execute them. The Subcommittee will continue to collaborate with the City and with Q Inc. to pursue research and funding options to address silt in the lake, including applying for future grants.