Some Kansas business owners say the release of billions of gallons of water from Kansas reservoirs this summer to support barge traffic on the Missouri River has hurt their reservoir-based businesses.

The Army Corps of Engineers says, however, that a congressional mandate requires it to release water from the reservoirs so barges can navigate the Missouri River, which was considerably lower this summer because of the drought.

Business owners along Perry, Tuttle Creek and Milford reservoirs, say the releases have dropped the lake levels so low that they can’t support their businesses, like marinas.

Tuttle Creek reservoir is six to seven feet below normal, and boat slips and docks are 15 feet below their normal spots. Milford State Park also had to shut down a number of boat ramps.