Recent storms begin to improve Kansas lake levels, some more than others

CHENEY, Kan. (KSNW) – In just a few weeks, the lakes across Kansas will be packed with boaters, but the water is still low in several places.

Recent storms dumped several inches of rain in some parts of the state and not a drop in others. The storms didn’t change much in Cheney.

Cheney Lake received a little less than an inch of moisture from recent rains. The state park manager said the bulk of the recent rain was too far southeast of Cheney’s watershed.

Now, we could still see water levels go up a bit more as runoff continues to flow into the lake, but conditions are still less than ideal.

“The lake right now it’s 5.55 feet below normal, and runoff will continue to kind of make its way into the lake over the next day or two, but it just doesn’t look like we’re gonna really get those big increases in lake levels like we were hoping for,” said Schwartz. “It’s comparable to where we were last year. Last year was a little closer to six feet low, so you know we’re looking right now to be pretty similar to where we were last year.”

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Growing up on Cheney Lake, Jon Lovett has weathered highs and lows. The recent storms were a disappointment during a low.

“It affects me more now as a dad,” said Lovett, who is the President of the Cheney Lake Association.

Low lake levels mean potentially more boats getting damaged and less safety for Lovett’s kids.

The lake is down to one functioning boat ramp, and the dock is still nowhere near water, according to Schwartz.

“When the water dries up, so does the business, so like I said, we have our fingers crossed for more rain,” said Lovett.

Schwartz says the hope is things will get better by summer. He’s waiting for the storms that are expected to roll in later in the week.

“Hopefully, some of the spring rain will increase our lake levels,” Schwartz said.

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An hour’s drive away at El Dorado Lake is better news.

“Over the last week, we’ve seen – we usually check the levels every Monday, and it’s gone up by exactly half a foot,” said Jacob Riley, El Dorado State Park manager.

The lake levels are still about two feet lower than they should be, but conditions are getting better.

“We’re at the mercy of Mother Nature out here,” said Riley.

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