The water balance
John Schlageck
Saturday, August 1, 2009
As the Kansas population continues to shift to the eastern half or third of the state, the majority of us are dependent on the use of federal reservoirs for their drinking water.
Twenty of Kansas’ 24 federal reservoirs provide some type of public water supply, according to Kent Askren, Kansas Farm Bureau water specialist. Two-thirds of the Kansas population is dependent upon stored public water including some rural water districts.
In addition to drinking water, Kansas reservoirs also play a minor role in providing navigational support for the Missouri River downstream from Kansas City. During periods of drought millions of gallons of precious Kansas water may be released to support barge shipping on the Missouri and later Mississippi rivers.
Kansas has water storage space under contract in Milford, Tuttle Creek and Perry reservoirs which are under operational control of the Corps of Engineers. These three reservoirs are the only ones in Kansas currently authorized for supporting navigational releases to meet target flow on the Missouri River downstream of Kansas.
These reservoirs also provide water that is under Kansas control to meet the needs of public water supply and industrial customers in the Kansas River basin during times of low natural flow, Askren says.
When lake levels are drawn down for Missouri River navigation, the probability increases that water reservation rights held by Kansans will be impaired. This could lead to curtailment of upstream water rights.
Milford Reservoir is particularly vulnerable because Kansas holds a reservation right with a priority date of 1974, Askren explains.
“As long as Milford remains susceptible for such use, the chances of regulating Kansas farmers upstream of Milford is elevated,” he continues.
And while many who live west of Highway 81 would argue this might have little impact on them, that’s not the case.
“Our dilemma in agriculture is to consider the present and future operations of our federal reservoirs in Kansas with regard to the in-state impacts, while at the same time examining our steadfast support for Missouri River navigation,” the KFB water specialist says.
Most farmers support inland water transportation because it represents the most energy-efficient mode for moving agricultural commodities.
Another major consideration for this state is the necessity to prolong the life of Kansas reservoirs or find other options like building new ones.