Stream Obstructions and Channel Changes

Water Structures 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 stream is any watercourse that has a well-defined bed and well-defined banks and that has a watershed exceeding a certain number of acres in three zones. The chart below explains this further:

Minimum drainage area to constitute a stream image in green, yellow and tan. Notice the counties are abbreviated

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 Obstuction

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

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