DWR Currents
July 17, 2012
Dam Removal: Aging Infrastructure Option
DWR begins MDS Administration in the Neosho and Cottonwood Basins
Staff News: Sachse and Bradley Interning at DWR
Upcoming Events
Dam Removal: Aging Infrastructure Option
Removal can be a possible solution for aging Kansas dams that may be unsafe or require costly upkeep. To update dam stakeholders in Kansas, the Dam Safety Program within the Division of Water Resources at the Kansas Department of Agriculture will host “Dam Removal: Aging Infrastructure Option” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 23 at the Wichita Area Treatment, Education and Remediation (WATER) Center, located at 101 E. Pawnee, Wichita, Kan. This seminar will examine start-to-finish projects, engineering issues, permitting requirements, and other removal aspects. Presenters will include representatives from the Watershed Institute; U.S. Corps of Engineers; Division of Water Resource; Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; and private engineering firms.
A tour of the WATER Center education area and treatment facility is also included in the seminar. Reservations are required for this free seminar because of seating limitations. Contact Cindy Higgins at cindy.higgins@kda.ks.gov or (785) 296-0573 for a reservation.
DWR begins MDS Administration in the Neosho and Cottonwood Basins
As of July 5, the minimum desirable streamflow (MDS) established under the Kansas Water Appropriation Act for the Neosho River had not been met for at least seven consecutive days at the gaging station near Parsons. Therefore, the Chief Engineer issued orders on July 10 requiring administration of 160 surface water rights in the Neosho and its tributaries above Parsons, including the Cottonwood River. While the orders are in effect, no water may be diverted or pumped by holders of surface water rights or approved permits with priority dates after April 12, 1984. Additionally, Water Assurance District members may only divert water when sufficient releases are being made from Water Assurance District storage.
Administration is also occurring on the Big Blue River, Chikaskia River, Little Arkansas River, Medicine Lodge River, Mill Creek, Saline River, Smoky Hill River and Whitewater River. Despite recent rainfall over some of these basins, streamflow has not recovered sufficiently to cease MDS administration. In order for MDS administration to end, flows must remain above MDS for 14 consecutive days or be high enough before the 14 day criteria is met that it appears flows will remain above MDS for the foreseeable future. More information about MDS, including links to realtime stream gage data for affected locations, is available on our Minimum Desirable Streamflow webpage.
Staff News: Sachse and Bradley Interning at DWR
John Sachse, a senior at Kansas State University, drives an hour from his family’s cattle and crop farm to research water right ownerships and do other appropriation work at DWR though the Governor's Office Internship Program, which gives college students the opportunity to work in the daily operations of upper-level state government.
With DWR’s Certificates and Water Use Unit this summer, Sachse has the opportunity to learn real world knowledge application before he graduates. This internship also helps me “step ahead and expand my networking,” said Sachse, who is majoring in animal sciences with a minor in agricultural economics.
Another summer intern at DWR is Charles Bradley, originally from Wichita and currently a third-year law student at the University of Kansas. 
“I’m interested in natural resources and doing research related to Kansas’ current water litigation with Nebraska,” Said Bradley, who graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He said the Department of Agriculture was his first choice for internship placement because of its water programs.
Upcoming Events
July 17: Western Kansas GMD No. 1 Board Meeting (Scott City)
August 1: Elevation Certificates and Letters of Map Amendment Training (Parsons)
August 8: Southwest Kansas GMD No. 3 Board Meeting (Garden City)
August 9-10: Kansas Water Authority Meeting (Coffeyville)
August 14: Equus Beds GMD No. 2 Board Meeting (Halstead)
