Kansas Water Office Projects

Conserve and Extend the High Plains Aquifer

Equus Beds Chloride Plume
Chloride contamination within the Equus Beds Aquifer from previous oil field production has created large pockets of groundwater which are unsuitable for most uses. Remediation of high chloride hot spots within the Equus Beds would help generate an additional water supply source as well as protect and prolong the useable lifespan of groundwater wells within the formation.

Water Conservation Project Fund
The Water Conservation Project uses a portion of the damages received from Colorado for violation of the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact for the benefit of the area impacted by overuse of the Arkansas River water by Colorado.

Water Innovation Systems and Education (WISE)
WISE is a public/private partnership program that focuses on fostering the implementation of field practices, technology and management strategies for industrial, agricultural and municipal water applications; with the goal resulting in measurable and scalable ground water conservation, improved water quality and overall soil and ecological health.

Secure, Protect and Restore our Reservoirs

Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative
The initiative is to protect water supply storage and improve water quality in reservoirs across Kansas. Landowners in eligible watersheds interested in participating in the Kansas Reservoir Protection Initiative can contact their respective County Conservation District or local Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Project Coordinator.

Milford Lake Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
Nutrient runoff within the Milford Lake watershed in Kansas is a source of nutrient loading contributing to aquatic conditions which promote formation of harmful algal blooms (HAB) within Milford Lake. This RCPP project would look to implement best management practices within the Milford Lake watershed to decrease nutrient runoff, thus decreasing the introduction of new nutrient loading contributing to the formation of HABs in Milford Lake.

Republican River Basin Projects
Allocate funds from Republican River settlements in the South Fork and Lower Republican River basins for water conservation and infrastructure improvement projects.

Streambank Stabilization Projects
Streambank stabilization has been a key component in the reduction of sediment entering our water supply reservoirs. Efforts are currently being concentrated in three high priority watersheds, the Big Blue and Little Blue Rivers above Tuttle Creek Lake, the Delaware River above Perry Lake, and the Cottonwood and Neosho Rivers above John Redmond Reservoir.

Stream Gaging
The stream gaging program, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), supports the efficient and timely operations of the water supply programs of the state, supports the needs of the water users of the state, and is used as a monitoring tool to ensure sufficient river flows for water uses. The stream gaging network enables the monitoring of surface water quantity and quality, which can be used for water resource planning and management.

Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study
Cooperatively investigate water resource problems and opportunities in the Kansas River Basin and recommend comprehensive, long- term solutions.

Water Injection Dredging (WID) Study & Demonstration at Tuttle Creek Lake
Demonstration to evaluate the potential of Water Injection Dredging (WID) to address sedimentation issues and sustain long-term water supply storage at Tuttle Creek Lake, as well as other Kansas reservoirs.

Improve the State's Water Quality

Equus Beds Chloride Plume Project
Characterize groundwater contamination extent in the aquifer and investigate feasible remediation options.

Kansas River Water Quality
The United States Geological Survey has partnered on a 5-year study on the Kansas River with specific objectives to provide an advanced real-time notification system with sufficient lead time to alert water-managers of changing water supply quality conditions that may affect treatment processes or cause taste-and-odor or algal toxin events.

KCC Abandoned Well Plugging
In 1996, the Legislature created the Abandoned Well Plugging and Site Remediation Fund. The legislation established an annual reporting procedure whereby the Kansas Corporation Commission accounts for the number of abandoned wells in Kansas, the funds available to plug abandoned wells, and the multiyear plan for addressing abandoned wells by creating a prioritization schedule.

Stream Gaging
The stream gaging network enables the monitoring of surface water quantity and quality, which can be used for water resource planning and management.

Wetland Program
Increase the knowledge base about Kansas’ wetland systems through surveying, monitoring, research and assessment to establish wetland conditions, identify trends, and explore the causes and sources affecting wetland change.

Reduce Vulnerability to Extreme Events

Conservation Assistance for Water Users
Since 1992, the Kansas Water Office has contracted with the Kansas Rural Water Association to fund a technical assistance program to public water system.

Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study
Identify actions within the Kansas River Basin necessary to extend the useful life of our reservoirs, to increase their resiliency and maintain capacity. Develop sustainable measures to reduce flood risk, improve sediment management, and mitigate drought, while seeking opportunities related to critical infrastructure investment, water supply availability, ecosystem restoration, water quality, and enhancing recreation.

Increase Awareness of Water Resources

Water Innovation Systems and Education (WISE)
Existing water technology efforts have grown into a new comprehensive Water Innovation Systems and Education (WISE) initiative. The program is a public/private partnership program that focuses on fostering the implementation of field practices, technology and management strategies for industrial, agricultural and municipal water applications; with the goal resulting in measurable and scalable ground water conservation, improved water quality and overall soil and ecological health. The program is an expansion of our legacy Water Technology Farm and PACE Farm programs, and includes the development of a state-wide Master Irrigator and innovative farm cost-share program.