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Water Structures Program
The Water Structures Program regulates dams, stream modifications, levees and floodplain fills for the protection of life, property and public safety. The program also provides technical assistance and coordination for local communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Examples of activities regulated by the Water Structures Program include construction, modification, or repair of dams, bridges, culverts, weirs, low-water crossings, low-head dams, intake/outfall structures, boat ramps, pipeline/cable crossings, grassed waterways, other channel modifications, levees along streams, placement of fill within the floodplain, and gravel/sand dredging.
News: U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 scale topographic maps have traditionally been used to make contour maps used in flood and dam breach inundation area maps. However, many counties in Kansas have been creating new contour maps using Light Detection and Ranging with a more detailed interval of two feet as compared to USGS topographic maps that use 10-feet intervals. LIDAR is a method of creating topographical information with an airplane flying over an area shooting laser pulses to the ground. A light-detecting sensor on the airplane then takes a reading and maps the topography from the laser pulses. Tom Morey, National Flood Insurance Program coordinator for Kansas, has worked with other agencies to fund LIDAR projects by pooling together monies. If you have questions about LIDAR for your community, contact Tom Morey by e-mail Tom.Morey@kda.ks.gov or by telephone at (785) 296-5440. Read more in DWR Currents Aug. 2 article.
During the 2011 Kansas Legislature session, creation of the Kansas Dam Rehabilitation Program was introduced but did not pass.
The American Association of State Dam Safety Officials recently released the Dam Safety Performance Report for the State of Kansas. Note: Information for this report is based on 2010 information.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers has released Kansas Projects, which contains its ratings of Corps dams in the state. These ratings were done between 2005 and 2009 using the Dam Safety Action Classification, a risk-based rating system that measures the likelihood that a natural event will occur, the performance of a structure during this event, and the consequences of poor or failed performance.
Recent news articles in Kansas
City Working to Keep Dam in Compliance
Delay on Dam Causes Frustration
Earthquake Stabilization at Tuttle Creek Dam Worth the Money
Hutchinson Homeowners Surprised With $900,000 Bill for Dam
Sediment's a Growing Problem in Kansas Lakes and Reservoirs
DWR Currents recent articles
Lake Afton Dam Modifications Approved by Chief Engineer
Augusta City Lake Modifications Approved by Chief Engineer
DWR Approves Proposed Modifications for Yankee Tank Dam in Lawrence
Weir Installed Above HorseThief Reservoir to Measure Inflows
Governor Proclaims March 13-19 Flood Awareness Week
Corps Assesses Safety of Their Dams
Dam Being Removed in Gray County
Permits Issued for Lincoln Street Bridge and Dam Project in Arkansas River at Wichita
Dam Safety TAC Examining Risks, Rules, Hazards and Funding
Mission Lake Dredging Project Nearing Completion
Stream Obstructions
The Water Structures Program is the permitting entity that monitors the impacts of structures on affected landowners. Structures may include bridges, culverts, pipeline crossings, weirs, and low-water crossings.
Dam Safety
With the exception of federally-owned dams, the Dam Safety Program is responsible for the safety of dams in Kansas.
Floodplain
The Division of Water Resources is the designated state agency that coordinates the FEMA Community Assistance Program, National Flood Insurance Program, and floodplain zoning.
Levees and Floodplain Fill
Activities affecting floodplains are regulated by the Division of Water Resources. The Water Structures Program provides permit approval for levee and floodplain issues.
Contact Information:
109 SW 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: 785-296-2933
Fax: 785-296-1176
WaterStructures@kda.ks.gov
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