Staff writer
The United States Army Corps of Engineers designed, constructed, and manages Marion Reservoir.
The corps has a history dating back to before the Revolutionary War.
Being a part of the Army, many of its employees are military and work worldwide. They plan and develop army bases and currently are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, building and rebuilding infrastructure.
Park ranger Neal Whitaker and the other Marion Reservoir employees are in the Civil Works Program, which runs federal dams and reservoirs but also builds levies and manages waterways.
Marion Reservoir is part of the Tulsa District, which includes the southern half of Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and part of Texas. All water in the Tulsa District drains into the Red and Arkansas City rivers and eventually into the Mississippi River.
Water in the Kansas City District drains into the Kansas River and then into the Missouri River before ending up in the Mississippi River.
Marion Reservoir and Council Grove Lake are the northernmost lakes in the Tulsa District.
Benefits
Whitaker said the corps has learned that it cannot control mother nature, so it no longer considers its mission as “flood control,” but “damage reduction.”
According to corps officials, flood damage was reduced by $180,091,140 as of Sept. 30, 2007, due to the reservoir.
Whitaker said the reservoir improves water quality by trapping sediment in the main pool of water, allowing cleaner water to pass downstream.
The reservoir also maintains a minimum stream flow in the Cottonwood River at all times. A low-flow, 24-inch conduit passes through the concrete dam at the bottom of the lake. The amount of water running through the pipe is regulated according to conditions in the river.
Park development
When the parks surrounding the lake first opened, campsites were prairie grass. Campers parked their campers and pitched their tents on the grass. The park rangers went around and collected camp fees.
Individual campsites gradually were developed with parking spots and picnic tables. Gate attendants were hired to monitor campers at Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove.
Electricity was installed at several sites, and camping spots were lengthened as RVs grew larger.
Seven years ago, a reservation system was implemented. Whitaker said at least two-thirds of the campers at Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove make reservations. Both sites are rated Class A because of the amenities they offer.
French Creek Cove is a Class C site because it is situated in a low spot and has no water-borne toilets and no showers. It does have electricity.
Marion Cove also is a Class C site and has no electricity.-
Campers are limited to a 14-day stay at any one site. Whitaker said the policy guarantees that the average taxpayer has as much opportunity to use the lake as anyone else.
There are two group-camping areas, one at each main campsite, for use by organizations and extended families.
During the past five years, some electricity hookups have been upgraded from 30 amps to 50 amps to accommodate larger RVs. Individual hydrants have been provided at some sites.
Playgrounds have been established at Cottonwood Point and Hillsboro Cove. A playground is planned for French Creek Cove.
The corps is in the process of replacing wooden outhouses with pre-cast concrete structures. Whitaker said the new structures also work well as tornado shelters.
Problems
The reservoir has had its share of problems in recent years.
In 2003, blue green algae became a problem. The latest situation is a threat from zebra mussels.
A commercial fisherman is under contract at present to extract “rough” or undesirable fish from the reservoir. This enhances sport fishing, according to Whitaker.
Pine wilt is taking its toll on pine trees in the parks. Whitaker said a lot of them are dying.
“It will be expensive to try to save some of them,” he said.
At least 12 to 24 trees are replaced every year, usually with maple and oak trees.
Fish kills occur from time to time. The exact cause often remains unknown.
A new practice instituted this fall is a lake-level fluctuation program. In the fall, the lake level is being kept at one foot higher than normal. This winter it will be allowed to drop two feet lower than normal. A normal level will be maintained during spring and summer.
The highest the lake has ever gotten is eight feet above normal, according to Whitaker. The lowest it has gotten is eight feet below normal.