DWR Currents

September 2, 2010


LiDAR Improves Floodplain Mapping
The Division of Water Resources may not have the mythical “black helicopters” for aerial reconnaissance, but we do have access to something even better: aircraft-mounted lasers capable of recording ground-surface elevations with a precision of plus or minus one foot.  Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing method for gathering precise topographic data that greatly improve the accuracy of floodplain mapping, among other applications.

The agency began gathering LiDAR data under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s map modernization program to develop digital flood maps for the entire country.  Twenty percent of the maps are being updated with new flood analysis.

At the end of the map modernization program, Kansas will have 37 counties with modernized flood maps.

Last week, DWR received LiDAR data for Leavenworth and Montgomery counties.  The topographic data will be used by our contractors to develop new floodplain maps for those counties.

Right: Image of ground surface LiDAR showing the dam and surrounding area at Leavenworth County State Lake.  Click to enlarge image.

“Leavenworth and Montgomery counties are among those receiving updated floodplain maps,” said Tom Morey, state coordinator for the National Flood Insurance Program in Kansas.  “Obviously, these are among the most flood-prone counties in the state, as highlighted by the severe flooding in Coffeyville in 2007.  With more precise mapping, local communities can take steps to better protect their populations and businesses from the devastating effects of floods.”

Additional LiDAR projects are ongoing and planned across parts of Kansas.  LiDAR data are expected to be delivered for Atchison County in the next week.


July’s Global Average Land Temperature Hottest on Record
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average worldwide land surface temperature in July 2010 was 1.85° F above the 20th century average of 57.8° F, making it the hottest July global average land temperature on record.

The combined global land and ocean average surface temperature for July 2010 was the second warmest on record at 61.6° F.  This figure is 1.19° F above the 20th century average of 60.4° F and just below the highest average temperature of 61.7° F for July 1998.

The data are from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, part of a monthly analysis based on records going back to 1880.

Right: “Temperature Anomalies” graphic showing hardest-hit regions included Europe, much of Asia, and eastern North America.  The extreme heat in Europe contributed to the devastating drought in Russia and other countries.  Graphic courtesy of NOAA.  Click to enlarge graphic.

As Kansas residents can attest, it certainly felt hotter than normal.  There were many heat advisories and warnings issued as temperatures or heat indexes climbed above 100° F for days on end.

According to the National Weather Service, the period from June 1 through August 8 was the fifth hottest summer on record in Wichita.  For the period from July 10 through August 9, the Lawrence Journal-World reported 20 days in the 90s and four days in the 100s.  In Lawrence, compared with the same period in 2009, heat-related emergency room visits more than tripled, electricity use was up 11 percent, public water supply distribution was up 18 percent, and visits to the city’s outdoor aquatic center were up 40 percent.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center monthly outlook forecasts near normal temperatures for Kansas through at least mid-September.  Their seasonal outlook forecasts above-normal temperatures in Kansas this fall and winter.


Web Updates
As part of our ongoing effort to increase and improve the quality of information available, DWR announces the following updates to its website:

• Water Use in Kansas – With easy-to-understand charts and accompanying text, this web page summarizes water use information collected and processed by DWR.  The content was recently updated and enhanced.  You’ll find information about how much water is used in Kansas, what it’s used for and how the total use has varied over time.
• Historical Documents – We’re using a two-pronged approach to add historical content: assembling digital versions of useful references, particularly background documents related to the Kansas Water Appropriation Act, as well as posting potentially useful documents in the repository as we come across them.  Several random new additions at this time fall under the latter category:
  • Water Resources Research Act of 1964 – News Release – This federal law, 46 years old last month, established water resources research institutes in each of the state’s land-grant universities.  The Kansas Water Resources Institute is located at K-State.  This news release provides insight into the vision for these institutes, and it accurately predicted the shortage of water in parts of many states, including Kansas, by the year 2000.
  • Water Resources Research Act of 1964 – Concept and History – Containing remarks from staff of the Senate committee that introduced the bill, this paper provides additional insight into the background and objectives of the act as well as details about the congressional process, including backing by the Kennedy administration.
  • Watershed Man of the Year 1969 – This newspaper clipping indicates former Chief Engineer Robert Smrha was honored at a national conference for his work in developing the Watershed District Act, which led to establishing dozens of watershed districts in Kansas for soil stabilization and other benefits.
• Floodplain Management Agency Designation 1970 – A letter from former Governor Robert Docking designated DWR as the state coordinating agency for the National Flood Insurance Program in Kansas, a continuing responsibility of the agency today.

As more historical documents are posted, we will organize them by subject matter for easier searching.

Do you have ideas about other content you’d like to see on DWR’s website?  If so, please send us your suggestions.


Upcoming Events

• September 2: GMD 4 Board Meeting (Colby)
• September 6: Labor Day (state holiday)
• September 8: GMD 3 Board Meeting (Garden City)
• September 9: GMD 5 Board Meeting (Stafford)
• September 14: Letters of Map Change Training (Topeka)
• September 15: Elevation Certificates Training (Wichita)

For more information about these and other upcoming events, please check our online events listings.