Division of Water Resources

Photograph of David Barfield Chief Engineer

 David W. Barfield, P.E. - Chief Engineer (Biography)

The Division of Water Resources administers 31 laws and responsibilities including the Kansas Water Appropriation Act which governs how water is allocated and used; statutes regulating the construction of dams, levees and other changes to streams; the state's four interstate river compacts; as well as coordinating the national flood insurance program in Kansas.

 

[Water Appropriation] [Water Structures] [Water Management Services]

[Interstate Water Issues] [Basin Management Team]

News: 

The February 8, 2010 DWR Currents, our weekly newsletter, includes articles on the Arkansas Compact meeting, legislative issues and DWR outreach via meetings.

Special Meeting of the Arkansas River Compact Administration on proposed revisions to Operating Plan for John Martin Reservoir

Feb. 11, 2010 Meeting Notice and Agenda PDF

Link to Proposed Resolution PDF

Senate Bill 510 - Establishing Conservation as a Beneficial Use of Water

SB 510 Summary of Key Points PDF

Link to Proposed Legislation PDF

Testimony on House Bill 2493 Opposing the Elimination of Dam Safety Inspections - 2/1/2010 PDF

Notices of Proposed Water Appropriation Regulations and Hearing Dates

Public Information Meeting Regarding Recent Meter Orders:

February 9:  Verdigris River Meter Order

General Information:  DWR Meter Information Page

 

DWR is organized as follows:

  • Water Appropriation - Manages the state's water supply through a system of permits, reviews and inspections.

  • Water Structures - Regulates activities affecting streams by ensuring that they are properly planned, constructed, operated and maintained for their authorized purposes without adversely affecting the environment, public health and welfare, and public and private property.

  • Water Management Services - Provides technical and data support to all agency water programs and includes the following sub-programs:

    • Interstate Water Issues - Kansas is party to compacts that allocate water from the Arkansas, Big Blue, Missouri and Republican rivers.

    • Basin Management Team - Works to develop water management strategies to address water resource issues identified in the Kansas State Water Plan.

Links to Key DWR Web Pages

DWR Statutes and Regulations

DWR Forms

Your comments and suggestions are encouraged!  Here is how to contact us.