Marais des Cygnes Regional Advisory Committee
Current Focus Area
Working with local, state, and federal partners to reduce sedimentation, improve education, and evaluate water supply and demand solutions within the Region.
Guiding Principles
The Marais des Cygnes Goal Team believes it is necessary to increase support and resources for sedimentation reduction practices as well as new sources of supply and education to meet the future water supply needs in the MDC region for the next 50 years. Education and water quality were the two most common priorities shared by the public throughout the three public meetings.
About the RAC
RAC Planner: Lauren Campbell
The Marais des Cygnes RAC has members who represent WRAPS, industry and commerce, conservation and environment, agriculture, water assurance districts, planning and zoning, and the general public. View the full Marais des Cygnes Regional Advisory Committee Membership.
The Marais des Cygnes Region is located in the southeast area of Kansas covering all or parts of 13 counties. RAC members meet throughout the year to discuss the vital needs of the region to address water resource issues and what projects would most address those needs.
The Marais des Cygnes RAC has three previously approved goals and action plans to address water supply and education needs throughout the region. Read the full Marais des Cygnes Action Plan. Reference recently approved goals and action plans by the Kansas Water Authority for inclusion within the draft State Water Plan for the Marais des Cygnes and other regional planning areas.
The Marais des Cygnes River basin in eastern Kansas is shaped in part by three major federal reservoirs—Melvern Lake, Pomona Lake, and Hillsdale Lake—all constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the mid-20th century following devastating regional floods, particularly those of 1951. Built between the 1960s and early 1980s, these projects were designed primarily for flood risk reduction, but they also play a critical role in water supply, water quality, recreation, and ecological management across the basin. Together, they help regulate flows in the Marais des Cygnes system, reducing downstream flood damage, supporting municipal and industrial water needs, and providing widely used public recreation areas, making them essential infrastructure for both regional resilience and economic vitality.
State of the Resource
View the Marais des Cygnes Fact Sheet
Regional Activities
The KWO models the region to determine supply and demand in the areas that are served by the mainstem Marais des Cygnes River. These modeling efforts determine the need for a reallocation study and/or reservoir management changes.
The RAC supports WRAPS and Conservation Districts implementing educations events, such as soil health field days, in order to improve both water quality and quantity.
Meeting Notes & Presentations
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