RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – Federal officials report that a lost diesel fuel tank that sank into Tuttle Creek Reservoir has been recovered.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced in a social media post on March 19 that federal workers and other on-site personnel have retrieved a fuel tank from Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Workers pulled the lost fuel tank from the water shortly after 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
Workers pull a diesel fuel tank from Tuttle Creek Reservoir on March 18, 2026. (Photo Courtesy/Environmental Protection Agency)
“With the source of the diesel leak now secure, EPA responders will do a walk through with its responding partners before transitioning the remaining response efforts to Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas Department of Health and Environment.”
Environmental Protection Agency social media post excerpt
The USACE initially reported the fuel tank fell into the lake after high winds and waves caused it to fall off a commercial barge on the water on Sunday, March 15. Federal engineers reported two days later the fuel tank, which had 1,800 gallons of diesel inside, was leaking into the lake.
Federal and local officials, including a team of divers and a hazmat team, responded to the situation and started working out a plan to remove the fuel tank from the water and contain the spilled fuel.
The KDHE issued an advisory for the lake in the area of Tuttle Creek Cove, warning people to avoid going into the water until further notice due to the fuel leak. This advisory remains in place until the KDHE rescinds it.
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