News Release

Sediment in Perry Lake Mostly from Stream Channel Banks

Sedimentation in Perry Lake is a concern as related to several important issues, including reservoir water-storage capacity and water quality.  A previous USGS sediment study on Perry Lake indicated that about 23 percent of the lake’s original water-storage capacity was lost because of sedimentation as of 2001.  Effective management of the sedimentation in reservoirs requires an understanding of where the sediment is coming from.  A recent study completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas Water Office and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, indicated that channel bank erosion is the main sediment source for Perry Lake.  However, in smaller basins in the upper portions of the Perry Lake Basin, as well as for Lake Waubaunsee, sediments come from a mixture of cropland soils, grassland soils, and channel bank sources.  

According to Kyle Juracek, project leader, the study involved the collection, analysis, and comparison of samples of channel-bank sources, cropland-soil sources, grassland-soil sources, and reservoir bottom sediment.  Based on chemical differences in total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, and cesium-137, it was determined that most of the sediment deposited in Perry Lake comes from channel-bank erosion.

The relative contribution of sediment from channel banks and surface soils can vary within and between basins over time, therefore, basin-specific strategies for sediment management and monitoring are appropriate.  The information from the study will be used by the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Health and Environment to help design and implement effective sediment management strategies in the Perry Lake Basin.

The report is now available online at:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5020/

Printed copies of Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5020, “Estimation of Sediment Sources Using Selected Chemical Tracers in the Perry Lake and Lake Wabaunsee Basins, Northeast Kansas,” by Kyle E. Juracek and Andrew C. Ziegler, may be purchased from the USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 80225, or call 1-888-ASK-USGS. A limited number of copies will also be available from the USGS office in Lawrence, Kansas.

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