1. Earl Lewis, PE Kansas Economic Policy Conference October 24, 2003
Development to Management: The Changing Water Supply and Policy of Kansas
Earl Lewis, PE Kansas Economic Policy Conference October 24, 2003

2. Development to Management: Overview
Geographic Setting
Water Appropriation
Water Planning
Groundwater Development
Water Management
Future Challenges & Outlook

3. Development to Management: Geographic Setting
Precipitation Variation 16 – 42 inches/year
Western Kansas
Groundwater
Irrigation and Stock Watering
Eastern Kansas
Surface Water / Reservoirs
Municipal and Industrial

4. Development to Management: Geographic Setting

5. Development to Management: Appropriation Act
1945 Legislative Change
Prior Appropriation System
First in Time – First in Right
Enabled Capital Investments in Water Development
Administered by Kansas Board of Agriculture

6. Development to Management: State Water Planning Act
Federal Watershed Program
Soil Bank
1958 Federal Water Supply Act
1956 State Water Planning Act
Plan for Development, Conservation and Management of Water Resources
State Water Resources Board

7. Development to Management: Federal Reservoirs
1944 Pick Sloan Act
Corps of Engineers / Bureau of Reclamation Lake Development
1974 Water Marketing Program
State Raw Water Utility

8. Development to Management: Federal Reservoirs

9. Development to Management: Center Pivots
Large Scale Development of Western Kansas
Supported Expansion of Feedlot Industry
Multi-Billion Dollar Economy

10. Development to Management: Water Right Development by Year

11. Development to Management: Ogallala Groundwater Decline 1989 - 1999

12. Development to Management: Groundwater Management Districts
1972 Groundwater Management District Act
Allowed Local Input into Water Management
Additional Authorities to Manage Water Rights

13. Development to Management: 1978 Changes
1978 Changes to Water Appropriation Act
Permit Required for New Development
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Governor’s Task Force
Examine State Structure of Agencies

14. Development to Management: Water Management
New State Water Planning Process
Kansas Water Office Created
Water Management Issues Addressed
Minimum Desirable Streamflow
Water Rights Purchase Program
Water Assurance Districts

15. Development to Management: Areas Closed to New Appropriation

16. Development to Management: Minimum Desirable Streamflow

17. Development to Management: Water Assurance Districts

18. Development to Management: Ensuring Water for the Future Economy
Protecting Capital Investments in Reservoirs
Effective Distribution of Water
Securing Water for Future in Western Kansas

19. Development to Management: Future Outlook
Adequate Water Supply for Productive Economy and Environment

20. Thank You
Earl Lewis