Lower Smoky Hill River Intensive Groundwater Use Control Area

Trego, Ellis, Rush, and Russell Counties

Initiated November 30, 1983 by the Chief Engineer

Reason for Initiation

  • Conditions existed in the groundwater alluvium which required regulation in the public interest
Public Hearing: February 23 and 24, 1984
Interim Order issued: May 31, 1984 - Adobe PDF Available

Correction Order issued July 27, 1984

Conclusions

  • Groundwater levels in the area in question have declined
  • Present rate of withdrawal of water exceeds the rate of recharge
  • Interrelationship of the surface and groundwater requires regulation in the public interest
  • Close the area to new appropriations
  • Alluvium of the Smoky Hill River Valley and its major tributaries between Cedar Bluff Dam and a point four miles north and west of Sharon Springs, KS require regulation in the public interest

Provisions

  • Closed IGUCA to new appropriations
  • Water flowmeters required to be installed in the IGUCA
  • Water use reports must be filed by March 1 each year (static water level, serial number of water meter, and meter reading at beginning and end of calendar year)
  • Appropriated irrigation water use restricted
    • Average 15 acre-inches/acre on maximum authorized acres (base period of 1977 to 1982)
  • All other appropriations and water uses restricted
    • Calendar year 1984 95% of maximum usage for any one of the calendar years 1981, 1982, 1983
    • Post 1985, 90% of maximum usage 1981-1983
    • Usage not to exceed authorized quantity
  • Task Force appointed to further study the water supply and demand and make recommendations to the chief engineer and composed of one representative from each of the following entities in IGUCA area.
    • Conservation District
    • Rural Water Districts
    • City of Hays
    • City of Russell
    • Irrigation Water Users
    • Cedar Bluff Irrigation District
    • Domestic users
    • Kansas Water Office
    • Kansas Geological Survey
    • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
    • Kansas Water Authority
  • The task force was also specifically charged with providing advice and recommendations on plans and alternatives for bringing the stream-aquifer system into balance between water supply and demand
    • Changes to operation and/or use of water stored in Cedar Bluff Reservoir
    • Limitations on the withdrawal of water
    • Alternative sources of water for use by existing water users
    • Conservation plans for water use
    • Items deemed necessary for long-term solutions to the water supply problems
  • The task force met nine times with each representative presenting report on their area of expertise. The task force reviewed all reports, followed by brainstorming sessions to produce a list of ideas as potential recommendations. The task force adopted a set of recommendations and submitted to the chief engineer November 1985:
    • Utilize the KGS water management model to manage the water and to cooperate with KWO and KGS in refining the model for use in basin and state-wide planning
    • Investigate the possibility of establishing a minimum by-pass of flows originating above Cedar Bluff Dam and the minimum bypass is subject to agreements with those holding the storage rights
    • Water users to file water conservation plans
    • City of Hays should develop an alternate source of supply to reduce the draft on the Smoky Hill basin
    • Reduce water use allocations for all water users except domestic (share the shortage by all water users)
    • Extend boundaries of the IGUCA to include the high terraces adjacent to the alluvium
    • Abandon domestic rights that are now Rural Water District No. 1 and transfer the amount of water to a new appropriation for the rural water district
    • Request Legislature for funds for research and development of the Dakota Formation
    • Awareness of the pollution problems especially related to the production and storage of petroleum products
    • KSU Extension Service and other agencies to assist in developing and implementing water education programs
    • Endorsed the proceedings to extend the boundaries above Cedar Bluff Dam and to expedite the proceedings
    • Continue to use the Smoky Hill Task Force as an advisory committee
    • Other items were discussed and no action taken but were included in the report as a matter of information to the chief engineer.
  • Initiated proceedings to extend the boundaries to include the alluvium of the Smoky Hill River Valley and its major tributaries
  • Chief Engineer can amend the IGUCA if deemed in the public interest
Supplemental Order issued January 23, 1987 -  Adobe PDF Available
  • Extended the boundaries to include Gove County
Kansas Department of Agriculture