Cedar Bluff Reservoir Release Complete
The Kansas Water Office (KWO), in response to requests from City of Hays and City of Russell, made releases from Cedar Bluff Reservoir from May 5 through May 12, 2025.
The Kansas Water Office received the two requests this spring to consider a release from the Artificial Recharge Pool contained within the Designated Operating Pool within Cedar Bluff Reservoir. Over the 7-day period, water was released to encourage streamflow within the Smoky Hill River to reach the Hays and Russell public water supply wellfields for groundwater recharge.
Since the release, there has been continued streamflow of the Smoky Hill River through the areas of the Hays and Russell public water supply wellfields. Streamflows are now declining after benefiting from recent precipitation events.
“These releases, coupled with recent precipitation events, have provided beneficial recharge of the Hays and Russell wellfields along the Smoky Hill River,” said Matt Unruh, Assistant Director of the Kansas Water Office. “This recharge will increase the resiliency of these water supply sources as we enter summer months, forecasted to be warmer and dryer than normal.”
The Hays wellfield and surrounding area saw 2-4 feet of water level improvement with an average of 2-2.5 feet. Russell saw improvements of 3-5 feet of water in public water supply wells that were allowed to rest during the releases.
Water levels at Cedar Bluff Reservoir declined 6 inches during the 7-day release period.
"The release provided our wellfield a significant recharge. This allows us to be best positioned for the expected drought this summer to ensure that our community is provided an adequate water supply," said Kayla Schneider, City Manager of City of Russell.
“The release provided a significant benefit to the Smoky Hill River alluvium, and will position us well if the projected drought materializes,” said Toby Dougherty, City Manager of City of Hays.
Releases from Cedar Bluff Reservoir are now concluded. The KWO, Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Water Resources, City of Hays and City of Russell will continue to monitor streamflow and groundwater level conditions within the watershed conditions closely through the summer.