Posted on August 13, 2026
Managing a reservoir as massive as Tuttle Creek Lake in the Kansas River Basin is a heavy lift — especially when dealing with more than 400 million cubic yards of stubborn sediment. Since the dam was completed in 1962, this buildup has buried boat ramps and led to the abandonment of water intakes. Without intervention, estimates show the reservoir will have only 25% of its original storage capacity remaining by 2074.
To address this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Water Office launched a groundbreaking pilot project in fall 2025 to test a sustainable way to reclaim the lake’s storage capacity. Central to this mission is a 100-foot-long water injection dredge custom-built by Topeka, Kansas-based Custom Dredge Works. To meet the heavy-duty demands of this unique application, the manufacturer integrated two John Deere JD18 industrial engines.
The Search for the Right Engine
When John Jones, president of Custom Dredge Works, was searching for a power solution for this one-of-a-kind project, he needed more than just raw horsepower; he required a reliable, “drop-in” package. That need led him to Northstar Power, a John Deere distributor serving the Upper Midwest and Plains states.
Matt Trout, an account manager at Northstar Power, knew the JD18 was the right fit because of its expansive power range of 700 to 908 hp (522 to 677 kW). The simplified air system of the JD18 engine — utilizing fixed and wastegate turbos, along with the fuel, software, combustion cylinder designs, and cooled EGR from John Deere — eliminates the need for aftertreatment to allow for smoother engine integration and a compact package size, providing the crew with more room to work on the open-deck dredge.
“The JD18 was very easy to work with — it’s a very polished, professional engine,” says Jones.
Powering a New Way To Move Mud
The Tuttle Creek project utilizes a specialized water injection method to clear sediment. Instead of sucking mud through miles of pipe, the JD18 engines drive two massive 24-inch pumps that inject water directly into the lake bed. This stirs the silt into a dense current so that when the dam’s spillway opens, gravity carries the suspended silt downstream just like a natural river would.
“The JD18 serves as a versatile power hub,” says Jones. “We use the engine’s integrated auxiliary drive to power a specialized packing pump, which keeps the main pump seals cool during 20-hour workdays.”
By utilizing the rear gear train for auxiliary power, the JD18 provides the direct power necessary for these demanding shifts.
Proactive Uptime With John Deere Connected Support™
Confidence in the equipment was bolstered by a previous booster pump project in Richmond, Virginia, where Custom Dredge Works first incorporated the JD18. During that project, the team saw the value of John Deere Connected Support firsthand.
“When that unit hit a component snag early on, the power of John Deere Connected Support proved to be the ultimate safety net,” says Trout.
John Deere Connected Support is a proactive remote monitoring and diagnostics system that sends predictive alerts to certified John Deere dealers and distributors regarding potential engine issues. This allows service technicians to perform remote diagnostics and manage trouble codes, sometimes without ever having to visit the site.
“The mobilization was outstanding,” says Jones. “With other companies, you can wait a month for a fix. Northstar jumped on it quickly. We had the customer back to work in just a few days.”
This level of service is possible because John Deere Connected Support proactively tracks the health of the engine, allowing technicians to arrive on-site with the right parts to fix issues efficiently if a site visit is needed.
Turning Data Into Long-Term Solutions
Even though the first phase is complete, this pilot is part of a multi-year strategy to ensure that the reservoir remains viable for the next century.
“This was the first of three dredging periods planned,” says Laura A. Totten, project manager and planner for the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “The data and information from this project will be used to support a determination of using water injection dredging at Tuttle Creek Lake.”
Because sediment accumulates daily, Jones expects these specialized dredges to become a permanent fixture on American waterways.
“This project is about more than just clearing silt; it’s about a long-term commitment to our infrastructure,” says Jones. “By using water injection, we’ve found an effective way to move massive amounts of material while letting the river’s natural energy do the heavy lifting.”
By integrating the JD18’s versatile performance with Northstar Power’s expert support, Custom Dredge Works has transformed a complex environmental challenge into a manageable, highly efficient operation.
