Water resource model helps assess dynamics of the Middle Arkansas River Basin

Kansas

Farmers, scientists and regulators will have a better idea of the dynamics of the Middle Ark Subbasin of the Arkansas River Basin thanks to a computer water model developed by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS).

Don Whittemore, senior scientist with KGS, will explain the model to members of the Upper Arkansas Basin Advisory Committee (BAC) and public when they meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27 at the Front Door, 1615 Tenth St., in Great Bend. The model takes into account numerous variables, such as historic streamflow, groundwater recharge, and pumping. It will be a useful tool to project future water conditions, including the possible effects of water conservation practices adopted in the region.

Other agenda items include updates on the proposed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for the Arkansas River Corridor and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The CREP proposal would address conservation in the stream and aquifer, along with water quality concerns and wildlife habitat improvements. Tom Stiles, Chief of the Watershed Planning Section for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Bureau of Water, will outline the status of the basin's TMDL process. It involves identification of pollutants in streams and lakes and putting in place practices intended to reduce their presence.

The importance of water conservation will be emphasized as committee members review the proposed Conservation Policy Section of the Kansas Water Plan. The section, which applies to both municipal and irrigation water use, calls for more general education on water conservation and system management. Voluntary plan development would be emphasized. Comments from committee members and the public will be considered by the Kansas Water Authority before a final draft is submitted for public hearing.

Extensive work also has gone into developing Irrigation Water Conservation Guidelines that will help irrigators develop a conservation plan for their use and universally meet the needs of Groundwater Management Districts, the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources (DWR) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The plans are intended to be practical and affordable and help prevent the waste of water. The guidelines include a subsection on irrigation scheduling, which is required by NRCS for federal programs and by DWR for its Blatant and Recurring Overpumping Program.

A proposal to revise the Basin Advisory Committees' structure and operations will be considered by the committee members. Included are provisions to modify the water user groups represented on the committee and to encourage selection of at-large members reflective of water resource interests in the basin.

For additional information or for special accommodations at the meeting site, contact Clark Rusco, Upper Arkansas BAC Chairperson, at 620-793-1808, or Susan Metzger, Basin Planner with the Kansas Water Office at 888-KAN-WATER (526-9283) or e-mail her at smetzger@kwo.state.ks.us. The agenda also is posted under calendar on the Kansas Water Office website at www.kwo.org.

Date: 2/21/06