Drought conditions continue in parts of the nation, including Bourbon County, with no helpful rainfall here since June.

In response to the drought condition, the City of Fort Scott Water Production anticipates releasing water from Lake Fort Scott beginning next week, according to a press release from the City of Fort Scott.  This will help to supplement the water already being released from both Cedar Creek and Rock Creek lakes to the Marmaton River.

“The water from Lake Fort Scott goes to Rock Creek, then to the Marmaton River, then to the water treatment plant,” Brad Matkin, assistant city manager said. “The river needs to maintain 10 foot of depth. We have taken water out of Cedar Creek. We are trying to spread it so we don’t put the three reservoirs at levels to damage something.”

The Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant treats an average of 2.6 million gallons of drinking water a day, for not only  city residents,  but also most of Bourbon County, according  to https://www.fscity.org/199/Water-Treatment-Plant.

There is precipitation forecast on Oct. 24 and 25, but just a chance showers, according to the National Weather Service.

It is impossible to know when precipitation will relieve current drought conditions, or how much water will be required from the three available reservoirs, “but several days of rain are needed,” Matkin said.

“There is not an exact date when we are going to start lowering the water in Lake Fort Scott, possibly Oct. 25, we just wanted to give notice,” Matkin said.

Lake Fort Scott  residents are encouraged to secure docks as needed in anticipation of possible lowering of lake levels.

“The water release will lower lake levels,” Matkin said. “If lake residents have a floating dock, they need to tie them up.”

It’s important that the City of Fort Scott  keeps the Marmaton River at adequate levels so treatment systems can  continue to deliver drinking water, according to the press release.

The city is fortunate to have theses water sources and infrastructure available, according to the press release.

The city staff ask for patience and understanding of this process, according to the press release.

“At this time, the water lowering of Lake Fort Scott will not affect city residents,” Matkin said.

Fort Scott supplies water for the majority of Bourbon County, as well as parts of Crawford, Allen, and Vernon Counties, according to the press release.