Drought Impacts and Data Used in Kansas

Susan Stover, LGKansas Water Office

Southern Plains Drought Assessment

November 29, 2011

Kansas Water Office Roles

Planning

KansasWater Office

Water Supply

Coordination Drought Response Team

Source of Water- Ground vs Surface

Kansas Geological Survey

Average Reported Use Made of Water

Kansas Geological Survey

Kansas Drought Mitigation - Water Supply

Drought Term Permits

8

Drought began in SW Kansas

And Crept Across the State

Stream and Reservoir Impacts

West to East Kansas has Different Issues to Manage

Information Sources Used

Weekly Drought Monitor – national, regional and state level

Precipitation and Percent of Normal Seasonal Drought Outlook Streamflows – USGS Stream Gages Reservoir Levels – USGS Gages

Other Sources Considered State Climatologist Vegetative Health - KU KARS, KSU USDA County Disaster Declarations Feedback from stakeholders

(livestock watering problems) and Ks Dept of Wildlife,Parks and Tourism (fish kills, bird deaths)

Communities experiencing shortages CoCoRas

Long Term Data Needs

Support for Stream Gages Current and expansion

More river forecast information on low flows Good information on flood stages

Weather Stations State is losing funding

Climate Change Projections long and intermediate term

Kansas Water Officewww.kwo.org785-296-3185

THANK YOU

16