DWR Historical Document Repository
The Waterscape and the Law: Adopting Prior Appropriation in Kansas 
By adopting the doctrine of prior appropriation, Kansas joined other western states in participating in the postwar irrigation boom. The new law allowed appropriation of water across the state, and irrigation systems have become popular even in eastern Kansas. From Kansas History (Spring 1996) Water in Kansas Special Issue.
Lake McKinney
Former KDA/DWR Legal Counsel Lee Rolfs' 2006 Presentation About Lake McKinney in Kansas.
David Pope Interview
A 2007 interview conducted by the Kansas Water Office, with David Pope, former Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources.
David Pope on the Fox Award
An article produced by the Kansas Water Office about David Pope, former Chief Engineer, after receiving the 2007 Fox Award from from the Kansas Water Authority.
DWR History by Senator Lee
A 2008 speech by Senator Janis Lee on the history of Kansas Water Law.
The Art of Water and the Art of Living
Essay by James E. Sherow Associate Professor of History at Kansas State University
Concept, Legislative History and Implementation of the Anderson Water Resources Research Act
Remarks of Benton J. Stong, Professional Staff Member, U.S. Senate, Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, at the Western Resources Conference -- July 16, 1964
Water Resources Research Act of 1964 - Press Release
1964 Press Release and Statement by the President of the United States following enactment
Watershed Man of the Year 1969
In 1969, the National Watershed Congress named Chief Engineer, Robert Smrha, as National Watershed-Man-of-the-Year, for his work in helping the Kansas Watershed District Act through the 1953 legislature. The National Watershed Congress was succeeded in 1989 by the 
National Watershed Coalition. This undated newspaper clipping is likely from the Topeka Capital Journal.
Learning the Hard Way: Early Water Control Projects at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
Article by Douglas S. Harvey from the Kansas Historical Society’s Kansas History journal from Autumn 2009.
2001 Discussions and recommendations for Long-Term Management of the Ogallala Aquifer in Kansas
On April 12, 2001, the Kansas Water Authority unanimously approved the continued development of a management concept for the Ogallala aquifer through the water planning process. This action included the creation of two advisory committees to further evaluate management ideas for the Ogallala. The citizen based management advisory committee was to evaluate ideas for the long-tenn management of the Ogallala aquifer to meet water needs as an area transitions to less water availability. A technical advisory committee was to work on methodologies related to technical issues, such as criteria to delineate aquifer subunits.
1993 Report of the Kansas Agriculture Ogallala Task Force
Findings and recommendations resulting from a 12 month investigation of the Ogallala region and, specifically, its water supply. The Ogallala Task Force, created by then Kansas State Board of Agriculture, was charged with investigating ways of "maintaining and enhancing the agricultural economy of the Ogallala region as it impacts the state of Kansas while lessening irrigated crop demands on the aquifer."
1979 - We're Running Out
Special section of reprinted articles from the Wichita Eagle and Wichita Beacon
1955 Report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture - Water... Its Appropriation for Beneficial Use
Report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, Roy Freeland, Secretary, Containing Laws of Kansas Relating to Water Appropriation.
1951 Report of the Kansas State Board Agriculture - Levees and Channel Changes
This bulletin was intended to serve as a guide to those who submited plans for such construction to the chief engineer of the division of water resources for approval in accordance with state laws in effect at that time.
1941 Report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture - Dams on Dry Watercourses
Report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture - August, 1941 - Containing the law relating to Dams on Dry Watercourses and Information Relative Thereto.
