DWR Currents
April 19, 2010
Visit DWR at the 3i Show
As in past years, the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources will be an exhibitor at the 2010 3i Show, May 5 through May 7 in Great Bend.
| Some people confuse DWR with KWO, or think we are the same agency. It’s probably because “water” is both of our middle names. Plus, our agencies are located one floor apart in the Mills Building in Topeka, and we work closely together on a number of issues. But there are some important differences: DWR is primarily responsible for regulating water rights and water structures such as dams, administering interstate river compacts, and serving as the state coordinator for the National Flood Insurance Program. KWO is responsible for developing the Kansas Water Plan, administering state-owned storage in federal reservoirs, and other nonregulatory functions. |
While in the past DWR has leased a booth next to the Kansas Water Office (KWO), this year we will be even closer – sharing a single booth, number I-49. This is one of many ways we are reducing expenditures due to budget cuts.
DWR staff will have displays and information available on a number of topics, including:
- Kansas Department of Agriculture services
- Division of Water Resources services
- Surface water and groundwater conditions in various parts of Kansas
- Groundwater modeling status and results in several areas of Kansas
| The 3i Show is an annual agribusiness trade show that focuses on industry, implements and irrigation. |
Whether you have questions about water issues or are just interested to learn more, we hope you take a few minutes to visit our booth at the 3i Show.
Floodplain Mapping Contractors Selected
Two engineering firms have been selected to conduct floodplain mapping studies in Kansas during federal fiscal year 2011 (October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011). The two firms are AMEC, which is one of the contractors performing this work in FFY 2010, and Olsson Associates, which has not worked with DWR before in floodplain mapping but has relevant expertise.
A number of firms responded to the state’s request for qualifications earlier this year and were subsequently interviewed by DWR and Kansas Department of Administration officials. The Department of Administration notified AMEC and Olsson Associates of the selection last week. DWR is working to finalize contracts with these firms.
This work is funded through a 
Cooperating Technical Partners grant from FEMA, which emphasizes updating and improving the quality of flood hazard mapping while making the maps more accessible in digital format.
DWR administers the CTP grant, provides technical assistance to communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program in Kansas and regulates stream modifications and floodplain fill.
Meet the Staff: Scott Ross
This month we interviewed Scott Ross, water commissioner of the Stockton field office, which covers northwest and north-central Kansas.
Scott and his staff are responsible for inspecting water diversion works and places of use; compliance and enforcement of water appropriation permits and water rights; administering junior water rights when minimum desirable streamflows are not being satisfied; protecting certain releases from reservoirs; helping applicants and water right holders; and other duties under the Kansas Water Appropriation Act. Scott is also involved in Republican River Compact work.
Scott has worked for the Division of Water Resources since 1981.
Scott, please tell us about your background.
I grew up in Atwood, Kansas, and graduated from Atwood High School. In 1974, I graduated from Colby Junior College with an AA degree in geology. Between 1974 and 1977, I attended Fort Hays State University and graduated with a BS degree in geology. After graduating from FHSU, I worked for the U.S. Department of Interior from 1977 through 1981 on various water projects for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation.
While still in college I married Kathy Prochazka, and we have two children, Jessica and Seth, who have both graduated from college and are working in the private sector.
What led to your job in DWR?
I was working for Reclamation in McCook, Nebraska, when that office was being downsized, so I could either transfer to Arizona and work on the Central Arizona Project or South Dakota and work several rural water district projects. Kelvin Kolb, water commissioner at Stockton, was a college classmate; he happened to call and ask if I wanted “a real job.” I did and ended up going to work for Guy Gibson, who was then chief engineer of DWR.
What was it like when you started at DWR? What are some noticeable changes since those days?
Back then, there were more staff and no computers. The New Applications Unit was three people, Change Applications one, and Certificates four staff. Technical Services were three people and there were 15 to 20 support staff in Topeka, depending on the time of the year. Everything was handwritten by the technical staff and typed by support staff. The Stockton field office had only one telephone until shortly after I got there. While we each got a telephone, we only had one telephone line, so you didn’t talk long. [Now there are two phone lines serving the office and a phone at each desk.]
In your own words, describe your job. What are some specific projects you’ve worked on?
I started as the assistant water commissioner and was generally in charge of all the field operations. In the field office then, we had more than 3,000 field inspections to do, so we would spend 10 to 12 weeks in the field testing installations or administrating water. Motels became a way of life for the summer. Then, writing up field inspections and proposed water right certificates came in the winter. I spent much of my time in the “off-season” working on abandonments and assisting with new applications and changes in the field.
What do you like about your job? What would you change if you could?
I like being able to work with the science and technology of today, and every day brings a new challenge. We have a great staff in Stockton, and they know what to do and when to do it. If I could, I’d have more opportunity to educate water users on subjects including how water moves, aquifer characteristics and water law. We still have a huge number of water users in Kansas who think water rights are like mineral rights.
How often do you interact with the public and in what ways?
Personally, I speak to a number of people every day about water rights, the Republican River Compact, water use, aquifer parameters and many other subjects involving water. I have occasion to provide presentations to the public on water and water rights in Kansas. That has included various organizations, groups from other states and other countries.
What are some frequently asked questions you hear and the answers to these questions?
Who owns the water? The people of Kansas own all the water.
How can I get a water right? File an application and receive approval of that application from the chief engineer.
Why can’t I have a water right? Typically the water you are asking for is being used by someone else with a water right. Simply put, they were there first.
Do you have any humorous anecdotes to share about your job?
Hundreds – too many to go into here. However, nearly all of them are the result of interacting with the honest, straight-forward folks in Kansas and around the Great Plains.
I’ve never been afraid to tell folks I’m from Kansas, and I’ve never met Dorothy or Toto.
Staff News
Jessica Ebert resigned from DWR to pursue other opportunities. Her last day in the office was April 16.
Ebert started as an environmental scientist in the Stockton field office in 2006 and transferred to the Topeka field office in 2008. While in Stockton, Ebert was a member of the Basin Management Team and worked primarily on data collection, analysis, stakeholder outreach and developing water management strategies in the Solomon River subbasins and Ogallala aquifer area. In Topeka, Ebert worked for the Water Appropriation program on water right inspection and compliance issues throughout the eastern third of Kansas.
Right: Jessica Ebert and Milton McCabe compile information for a water right compliance investigation in November 2009.
We wish her the best in her new endeavors.
The agency plans to leave this position vacant at least through the end of May, when state budget legislation for the remainder of fiscal year 2010 and for fiscal year 2011 should be completed.
Upcoming Events
- April 21: Public hearing on proposed amendment to water banking regulations (Topeka)
- April 22: Culvert, Drainage and Levee Maintenance workshops by Kansas University Transportation Center (McPherson)
- April 23: Culvert, Drainage and Levee Maintenance workshops by Kansas University Transportation Center (Junction City)
- May 6: Substantial Damage Estimation class (Lyons)
- May 13: How to Read a Flood Map training (Bonner Springs)
- May 13-14: Kansas Water Authority meeting (Wichita)
***NOTE: The April 20 Culvert, Drainage and Levee Maintenance workshop at Colby and the April 21 Culvert, Drainage and Levee Maintenance workshop at Hays have been CANCELLED***
For more information about these and other upcoming events, please check our online events listings.
