Melvern Lake Background

Melvern Lake is a multipurpose reservoir located in Osage County on the Upper Marais des Cygnes River.  It has been in operation since 1973 and has 6,930 surface acres of water at multipurpose pool elevation.  It has many uses such as:

Water Supply - One-third of the lake volume is allocated for public water supply.  Osage City, Burlingame, and Wholesale Water District #12 purchase water from the lake.

Recreation - Thousands of people each year enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and camping in and around the lake.

Flood Control - Outflow from the reservoir is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to decrease the chance of flooding down stream.

Identified Problems

1. A study of the lake by Kansas State University came to the following conclusions: 
2. No dominant sources of pollution were identified and no one area of the watershed was identified as a prime pollution contributor.
3. Though levels of sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen are fairly low a maintenance plan is recommended.
4. The water quality of the lake can become better or worse depending upon future watershed management.
5. Commonly used Best Management Practices (BMPs) for grassland, small feedlots and cropland are recommended throughout the watershed.

Project Goals

To protect and improve the water quality in Melvern Lake and the tributary streams which feed the lake, and to reduce nonpoint sources of pollution into the lake, streams, and groundwater.

Objectives

1. Minimize water quality impacts from cropland.
2. Decrease runoff and improve the quality of runoff from grasslands.
3. Reduce streambank erosion.
4. Reduce, or properly contain, manure concentrations near all streams.
5. Reduce pollutants coming from all households and towns.
6. Reduce pollutants from all commercial, recreational, industrial, and transportation sites.
7. Inform and educate all stakeholders in the watershed about water quality.

Implementation

This project is a voluntary project designed to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) throughout the watershed.   In addition, an information and education campaign is being employed.  Funding for this implementation effort comes from a variety of sources. The project works with all residents, communities, businesses, and agencies which reside or work in the watershed.  For more information contact the project office.

Paul Ingle, Project Coordinator
Melvern Lake Watershed
Water Quality Office
P.O. Box 8736
Topeka, KS  66608
Phone:  785-640-2645  
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