Water, water everywhere...

Living in a plains state makes Kansans unique in their uncanny sense of the weather and of water resources. Kansas has its watersheds, 14 reservoirs, and 12 river basins that help to keep metropolitan areas in drinking water and farm fields irrigated. The Kansas Water Office and Kansas Water Authority are charged with maintaining and preserving and preparing Kansas waterways. The Water Office coordinates the Kansas water planning process in concert with the Kansas Water Authority which advises the Kansas Legislature and the Governor in policy-making. This week, the Legislature meets in interim committee meetings regarding the water planning process. They will be looking at water supply and conservation issues, including the nature of the supply, where and whom it serves, and what it will look like in 10-20 years. Learn more about your Kansas government's plan for our water resources.

Kansas Water Office home page:
http://www.kwo.org/

Kansas Water Authority and its members:
http://www.kwo.org/KWA/Kansas%20Water%20Authority.htm

2009 Kansas Water Plan:
http://www.kwo.org/Kansas%20Water%20Plan/Kansas%20Water%20Plan.htm

2010 Water Plan Status:
http://www.kwo.org/Reports%20%26%20Publications/Rpt_2010_StatusReport_012509_ab_ss.pdf

2010 Annual Report to the Governor and the Legislature:
http://www.kwo.org/KWA/Rpt_2010_KWA_Rpt_Gov_Leg.pdf

More reports and publications by the Kansas Water Office:
http://www.kwo.org/Reports%20%26%20Publications/Reports%20and%20Publications.htm

Kansas Department of Agriculture- Division of Water Resources:
http://www.ksda.gov/dwr/

Kansas Geological Survey- Water Resources:
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/hydroIndex.html

Kansas State Conservation Commission (SCC):
http://www.scc.ks.gov/

Article contact: Kim Harp

Kansas Lakes

Photo by Ian Kluft 2009

Happy Fourth of July to all! Many Kansans will be headed out to various Kansas lakes and reservoirs to enjoy a day on the water and some quality fireworks. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks teamed up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide beautiful lakes across Kansas for water control, drinking, fishing, camping and pure entertainment. More than 150 lakes, 10,000 stream miles, and 55,000 ponds make the state attractive to boaters of many types. Most of the lakes are well-served by public access facilities and provide excellent opportunities for anglers, swimmers, skiers, sailboaters, powerboaters, canoeists and others. In addition to firework displays at many state parks, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has planned a number of special park events. Fishing tournaments continue as a favorite summer pastime, while other events — including a veterans reunion at El Dorado State Park, a sand castle contest at Lovewell, boat races at Kanopolis, and a trail run at Perry — make state park visits a July treat.

See a calendar of scheduled events at:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/JULY-PEAK-OF-SEASON-AT-KANSAS-STATE-PARKS and
http://kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/This-Week's-Events

Find a map of state parks and contact information at:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Locations

Find a list of all lakes in Kansas and the US Army Corps of Engineers parks:
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/states.cfm?state=KS

Find a map of where you can put your boat in:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/KS-State-Boating-Access

Going fishing this weekend? Find out the best fishing holes:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas
http://www.takemefishing.org/

Check your catch against the record holders:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/State-Record-Fish

Make sure you're fishing in accordance with state regulations:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations

Don't forget to bring a few dollars to pay park fees and/or permits:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Park-Fees

And don't forget to register your boat!
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/Registering-Your-Boat

On Monday, be sure to wash out your boats to prevent zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species from migrating:
http://www.protectyourwaters.net/
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species

Lastly, please have a happy 4th and stay safe this weekend:
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Boating/CAUTION-ADVISED-FOR-BOATERS-THIS-HOLIDAY-WEEKEND

Article contact: Kim Harp