Stream Obstructions and Channel Changes

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.

In Kansas, a designated stream is a natural or man-made channel that conveys drainage or runoff from a watershed having an area (1 One or more square miles in zone one, which includes all geographic points located in or east of Washington, Clay, Dickinson, Marion, Harvey, Sedgwick, or Sumner counties; (2 Two or more square miles in zone two, which includes all geographic points located west of zone one, and in or east of Smith, Osborne, Russell, Barton, Stafford, Pratt, or Barber counties; (3 Three or more square miles in zone three, which includes all geographic points located west of zone two. 

Other permits may be required, including but not limited to:

1.  Permit to Appropriate Water from the Water Appropriation Program
2.  Construction permits from county and local government
3.  Corps of Engineers NOTICE! This link will open in a new New WindowClean Water Act Permit
     Phone: 816-389-3990
4.  Kansas Department of Health and Environment NOTICE! This link will open in a new New WindowPermit for Stormwater Run-Off
     Phone: 785-296-5545

PDF ImageChapter 82a, Article 3 - Obstructions in Streams
K.S.A. 82a-301 to 327 Revised September 2010 

PDF ImageObstructions in Streams regulations
K.A.R. 5-40-1 thru 5-40-106; 5-41-1 thru 5-41-6; 5-42-1 thru 5-42-5; 5-43-1 thru 5-43-5 & K.A.R. 5-46-1 thru 5-46-4 Revised 10/3/08

PDF ImageDesign of Levees regulations
K.A.R. 5-45-1 thru 5-45-23

Applications for Permit to Construct a Dam

PDF ImageCombined Application for Permit - Obstructions in Streams and Appropriation of Water for Recreational Use.

PDF ImageBeneficial Use of Water 

PDF ImageApplication for Certificate of Completion of Dam and Capacity of Reservoir and Reduction of Valued Land - Donation of Land, Easements or Rights of Way (Watershed Dam)

Application for Permit of a Stream Obstruction

PDF ImageApplication for 2-100 Permit - Dams, Stream Obstructions, and Channel Changes

PDF ImageApplication for 2-190 Permit - Bridge or Culvert Replacement Project

PDF ImageApplication for 2-196 Permit - Pipeline Crossing or Buried Cable

Application for Permit of Levees

PDF ImageApplication for 3-100 Permit - Construction or Maintenance of Levees or Floodplain Fills

Also see PDF ImageWhen Is a DWR Permit Required? 

Contact information:

Chad Voigt, P.E.
Water Structures Program Manager
109 SW 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 296-2933
Fax: (785) 296-1176
WaterStructures@kda.ks.gov

Kansas Department of Agriculture