TOPEKA (KSNT) - Federal and state officials are monitoring a drop in water levels at many lakes and reservoirs across Kansas this fall, revealing some hidden dangers beneath the surface. KSNT 27 News spoke with Brian Twombly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) about the falling water levels in the state. He said there has been a noticeable drop in the amount of water in the reservoirs monitored by the USACE. "At the Corps of Engineers reservoirs, all of them have dropped over the last 60 days," Twombly said. "All but one are below their desired level at this time of year." Twombly said a mixture of dry conditions, drought and not much rain have all contributed to this issue. Out of the major reservoirs being monitored by the USACE, including Milford Lake and Perry Lake, Twombly said Tuttle Creek has dropped the most at around five feet over the past two months. Biologists investigate where mystery cluster of Kansas rattlesnakes are coming from The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) took to social media recently to warn people about the potential hazards posed by the low water levels across the state's popular fishing and boating destinations. In places like Cheney Reservoir, lake levels have fallen nearly nine feet, prompting warnings for boaters hoping to enjoy the water. "Water levels are unusually low this fall across state reservoirs and lakes. The low water levels are exposing more logs, sandbars, mud flats, and other hazards. Whether a new boater or veteran, please exercise caution when operating your boat." KDWP Game Wardens social media statement excerpt Twombly told 27 News the current water levels being witnessed this fall are not too different though than what was seen around this time last year. He emphasized that places like Milford and Perry are still above where they were at in 2023 but continue to drop quickly. "These levels are similar to last year, the dry fall we had," Twombly said. The USACE uses a water control manual to figure out its water management strategy for the year, including during times of drought. More than 60% of the Sunflower State is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions with around 2.1 million residents living in areas of drought, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). Biologists say elk are exploring more of Kansas Twombly said the USACE will reduce its flow targets for the Kansas River as drought conditions persist. However, the organization ensures enough water is flowing in the river to meet expectations for water quality and supply for cities which draw from the river. "Kind of like what you see in the river, the reservoirs also as they drop, the upper portions will have mud flats and in those mud flats there might be tree stumps, logs or other hazards," Twombly said. "Boaters should always exercise proper caution on the water." People might expect to see water levels return to normal as temperatures and rainfall increase in the spring of 2025, similar to what happened earlier this year. The USACE will continue to work closely with the Kansas Water Office to ensure water supply users' needs are met moving forward. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf