The Kansas Water Office is reviewing its Water Plan finalized almost five years ago, and it’s inviting area residents to discuss water matters during a special meeting in Emporia on Tuesday.
On KVOE’s Morning Show recently, Director Earl Lewis said the state is concentrating on three main areas of concern: groundwater in the western part of Kansas, reservoir sedimentation like what has happened at John Redmond Reservoir over the last 40 years and water quality. Lewis says the widespread flooding this year — including five separate rounds of flooding just in Lyon County — has prompted the department to expand its planning approach.
Lewis also says water storage, especially with the new emphasis on flooding, is a top priority for state planners — whether through ongoing streambank stabilization projects or the construction of new watershed dams or reservoirs. He also says people across Kansas need to think ahead when it comes to water supply, especially because solutions to water issues take a long time to research and develop.
The meeting is from 5-7 pm Tuesday at White Auditorium’s Little Theater. Folks attending the open-house-style meeting can provide their input on things like current or future priorities as well as potential funding mechanisms. They can also look at different data sets through the Water Office and other contributors.
For more information about Tuesday’s meeting or the upcoming Kansas Water Conference from Nov. 7-8 in Wichita, go online to www.kwo.ks.gov or call 785-296-3185.
