Abstract

Shawnee Mission Lake is an artificial impoundment central to Shawnee Mission Park, the largest public park in Johnson County, Kansas. The Shawnee Mission Lake watershed has remained relatively undeveloped since the completion of the dam in 1962. However, recent (1990–2006) urban development has been a cause for concern regarding the quantity and quality of sediment entering the reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey collected two cores of bottom sediment to assess sediment accumulation and quality in Shawnee Mission Lake. Results from this study indicate that sediment accumulation has remained relatively constant from 1970–2006 at the downstream portion of the reservoir. Runoff from urban portions of the watershed are likely responsible for larger concentrations of selected trace elements in more recently deposited reservoir sediment. Information provided in this report can be used by Johnson County officials to help determine the current and future recreational capacity of the lake.

Version 1.1 posted September 2009