Kansas River Water Quality
Purpose
The Kansas River is a water supply source for the cities of Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe and Water One in Johnson County. The river periodically experiences taste-and-odor episodes that may be caused by cyanobacteria in upstream reservoirs or from run-off events. The objective of the study was to provide an advanced real-time notification system to alert managers along the Kansas River of changing water-quality conditions that may affect treatment processes or cause taste-and-odor or algal toxin events.
History
During the late summer and early fall of 2011, due to hot and dry conditions, Milford Reservoir experienced a harmful algal bloom (HAB) and several utilities along the Kansas River detected microcystin (a toxin produced by cyanobacteria) in the raw water. The Public Water Supply workgroup developed a plan to work with USGS to collect real-time water quality data along the river; identify the source, fate and transport of taste-and-odor compounds; and develop statistical relationships to identify factors that may cause a change in water quality. The members of the workgroup see the value of the data collection along the Kansas River and continue to use one-year contracts with the USGS. Collection sites include Wamego, Topeka and De Soto with years of historical data from the Wamego and De Soto gages. More information can be found at the USGS website, Water-Quality Monitoring in the lower Kansas River Basin.
Current Updates
Continuous data collection occurs at the three locations. USGS monitored the initial phase of the time of travel study - this study monitors the time of travel of dye levels in the Kansas River to estimate streamflow velocities and travel times. The study will be completed as river flows allow with public and utility notification prior to the beginning of each test.
The Kansas River Water Quality Workgroup meets quarterly to receive pertinent updates on this project and discuss future water quality projects.
Funding
The total scope for the study for FY 2026 is $211,000 with USGS contributing $52,800. KDHE has committed $31,000 and KWO has committed $30,000. The Nature Conservancy, Evergy and the associated public water suppliers have provided $97,200.
Project Manager
Page Updated: 1/16/2026
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