Gov. Jeff Colyer has announced a drought emergency for nearly half the state’s counties, including every county in the KVOE listening area.
Fifty counties, including Lyon and all surrounding counties, are in a drought emergency. Nearly 30 others are in a drought warning and another 28 are in a drought watch. At this point there have been no water restrictions on the City of Emporia, however City Commissioner Bobbi Mlynar says it is something that is being monitored.
Mlynar served on the city’s water task force during the last major drought in 2012 and 2013. She says if the city of Emporia goes on a restriction that will extend to the surrounding rural water districts which also includes portions of Chase, Greenwood and Osage counties. She says there are little steps residents can take now to conserve their water usage at home.
If and when water restrictions do go into effect, that also will impact surrounding rural water districts in Lyon County which extends into portions of Chase, Greenwood and Osage counties as well.
Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter tells KVOE News there has been some scattered rainfall, but not nearly enough for ag producers.
This announcement means drought emergency counties can use water from certain state fishing lakes as part of a memorandum of understanding between the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. These counties can also use water from some federal reservoirs.
Individuals and communities do need to reach out to the Water Office for a water supply request first. They will be directed to the proper office for the necessary permit.
Gov. Colyer says there have been a lot of concerns from agriculture producers and he has seen drought conditions firsthand. He thanked state and federal partners, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, for their help in identifying possible resources.
For more information, go online to www.kwo.ks.gov.
