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Several Pacific weather systems moved across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week. An upper-level ridge over the western CONUS directed the systems across the northern states, while a cutoff low trekked across Texas then into the Gulf of Mexico. The Pacific systems dragged cold fronts with them that stretched the width of the CONUS, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico coast. The fronts triggered rain and snow over parts of the country, but they were starved of precipitation by the western ridge and its northwesterly flow over the central CONUS. As a result, the week was wetter than normal only in parts of the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes, and Texas. The weather was drier than normal across the rest of the CONUS with large parts of the West, Great Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Southeast receiving no precipitation. Most of the West and Great Plains were warmer than normal thanks to the western ridge. The persistent above-normal temperatures contributed to excessive evapotranspiration in western portions of the Great Plains as well as parts of the West, as seen in EDDI and ESI indicators. Lack of precipitation, excessive evapotranspiration, and windy conditions further dried soils, again especially in western portions of the Plains, as seen in several soil moisture indicators. Drought indicators such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) reflected the mounting precipitation deficits. The continued dryness expanded or intensified drought in parts of the southern to central Rockies, Great Plains, Lower to Mid-Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as Puerto Rico.

Parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and northern New England received half an inch to locally an inch of precipitation this week while southern portions had less than half an inch. No change was made to the moderate to severe drought that lingered in northern New England, but short-term dryness and low streamflows prompted expansion of abnormal dryness in West Virginia.

By the time the cold fronts reached the Southeast, the only precipitation they could muster was less than half an inch and that was only in parts of northern Alabama. The rest of the region had little to no precipitation. With dryness intensifying over the last 3 months and soils continuing to dry, abnormal dryness and moderate drought expanded, and areas of severe drought developed, in the Carolinas and Virginia. Abnormal dryness grew in Alabama and Georgia and developed in the Florida panhandle. According to November 28 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, topsoil moisture was short or very short (dry or very dry) for 55% of South Carolina, 54% of North Carolina, 46% of Georgia, 28% of Virginia, 26% of Florida, and 22% of Alabama. These were all 5 to 12% more than a week ago.

Half an inch to 1.5 inches of rainfall was widespread across coastal to eastern Texas, and into adjacent parts of Louisiana, and locally over 2 inches fell over parts of Texas. Smaller swaths of half an inch of rain occurred over north Texas and parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. But the rest of the region had less than half an inch, with much of western Texas to most of Oklahoma receiving little to no precipitation. Moderate to severe drought contracted in a few parts of Texas where the heaviest rains fell, but much more of the state, as well as parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, saw expansion of abnormal dryness and moderate to severe drought. Areas of abnormal dryness expanded in western Tennessee and developed in eastern portions of the state. With every passing day of no precipitation, low humidity, high evapotranspiration, the wildfire threat continued to grow in Texas and Oklahoma. According to November 28 USDA statistics, 64% of the topsoil moisture in Texas was short or very short (dry to very dry) and 45% of the winter wheat crop was in poor to very poor condition. In Oklahoma, the statistics were 59% for topsoil moisture and 16% for winter wheat condition.

Half an inch of precipitation fell across the Great Lakes and parts of Missouri to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, with less than half an inch across the Ohio Valley states and little to no precipitation over the Upper Mississippi Valley. Reassessment of the last 2 months' precipitation led to deletion of extreme drought over the Lake of the Woods region, contraction of moderate to severe drought in northwest Minnesota, and contraction of extreme drought in the northeast part of the state. But abnormal dryness expanded in parts of Illinois, Missouri, and southeast Iowa where 30-day dryness intensified and soils continued to dry.

Little to no precipitation fell across the High Plains region this week. Reassessment of the last 2 months' precipitation led to contraction of moderate drought in northeast North Dakota and severe drought in the central part of the state. But water levels in ponds and dugouts remained low in spite of late summer to early fall rains, thus prompting expansion of severe drought in other parts of central North Dakota. Above-average temperatures and no precipitation for the last 2 weeks resulted in expansion of moderate drought in southern parts of North Dakota and adjacent South Dakota. In Wyoming, many basins had below to well below normal snowpack with no snow across the High Plains portion of the state, and snow, where it has occurred, was confined to the highest peaks (above 8500 ft). The snow conditions combined with excessive evapotranspiration, drying soils, short-term dryness, and longer-term dryness to prompt expansion of moderate to extreme drought in parts of the state. In Colorado, drying soils, high evapotranspiration, low mountain snowpack, and mounting precipitation deficits resulted in expansion of moderate to extreme drought in many parts of the state. November 28 USDA statistics had 84% of Colorado's topsoil short or very short of moisture and 33% of the winter wheat in poor to very poor condition. Abnormal dryness and moderate drought expanded in southern and western parts of Kansas.

Pacific weather systems brought 0.5-3.0 inches of precipitation to coastal portions of Oregon and Washington, with 5 inches or more falling in non-drought areas of northwest Washington. Half an inch to locally 2 inches also fell over parts of the northern Rockies, while locally up to half an inch occurred over a few parts of the southern Rockies. Otherwise, much of the West was dry. Drying soils and mounting 3-month precipitation deficits prompted expansion of moderate to extreme drought in parts of New Mexico. November 28 USDA reports had 81% of New Mexico's topsoil short or very short of moisture. Otherwise, no change occurred to the vast areas of moderate to exceptional drought which covers the West.

The week was drier than normal in Puerto Rico. Moderate drought expanded in Puerto Rico where soils continued drying, stream levels were low, and 1-3 month rainfall deficits continued to mount.

The U.S. Virgin Islands remained dry for another week, at the end of a three month stretch that is typically the wettest for the region. Drought status did not change from the previous week with St. Thomas at D1-S (moderate drought), St. John at D0-S (abnormal dryness), and St. Croix at D2-SL (severe drought). With conditions being very dry on all islands, deterioration in drought condition is possible next week.

St. Thomas received 0.10 to 0.5 inches of rain over much of the island with a swath of rainfall yielding up to an inch across the midsection of the island, according to the National Weather Service's Quantitative Precipitation Estimates for the past 7 days. St. John and St. Croix each received 0.25 inches or less over most of the islands.

St. John remained at D0-S. The Windswept Beach CoCoRaHS station reported 0.27 inches, which is below normal. Other CoCoRaHS stations reported 0.40 inches or less. The SPI values for Windswept Beach range indicate no dryness at 3 and 6 months, abnormal dryness at 9 months, moderate drought at 12 months, and severe drought at 1 month, and averaging to abnormal dryness. The Susannaberg DPW 3 Well was about 15.34 feet below the land surface, which is quite low.

St. Croix remained at D2-SL. Precipitation at Henry Rohlsen AP amounted to 0.11 inches, which is below normal. The CoCoRaHS stations reported 0.31 inches or less. The SPI values for Henry Rohlsen AP indicate extreme drought at 1 month, severe drought at 3, 9 and 12 months, and moderate drought at 6 months, and averaging to severe drought. The Adventure 28 Well was at 28.26 feet below land surface on Nov. 30, edging very close to its lowest recorded level, which occurred on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2016, when the depth to water was 28.32 feet.

St. Thomas remained at D1-S. Precipitation at Cyril E. King AP was 0.21 inches, or below normal. The CoCoRaHS stations reported 0.40 inches or less. The SPI values for the King Airport indicate moderate drought at 1 and 12 months, severe drought at 3 months, and abnormal dryness at 6 and 9 months, and average to moderate drought. The Grade School 3 Well was at 13.78 feet below land surface on Nov. 30, which is quite low for the well.

The week was drier than normal in Hawaii. The depiction was unchanged in Hawaii.

The week was drier than normal in most of Alaska, with wetter-than-normal conditions in the Alaska panhandle. Alaska remained free of drought and abnormal dryness.

The Republic of Palau was free of dry conditions and received 3.24 inches at Palau IAP and 2.03 inches at Koror COOP.

The Mariana Islands also remained free of dryness. Rainfall at all locations exceeded the 1-inch weekly minimum to satisfy water needs. Guam and Rota received 4.54 inches and 3.82 inches, respectively. Saipan rain amounts ranged from 2.60 inches to 3.27 inches.

The Federal States of Micronesia were largely free of drought, apart from Kapingamarangi, which was entering its second week of extreme (D3) drought. A report from Kapingamarangi via WSO Pohnpei indicated that recent rainfall helped catchment tank levels. The community water tanks were nearly 100% full and private (personal) water tanks were around 50% full. Vegetation was still stressed and yellowing.

Several other locations in Micronesia had 2 inches or more, which is adequate for weekly water needs. Chuuk received 3.23 inches; Pingelap, 4.41 inches; and Pohnpei, 4.34 inches. A few other locations, like Fananu, Kosrae, Lukunor, Nukuoro, Ulithi, and Yap received less than 2 inches, but received enough rainfall in previous weeks that water supplies should not yet be a concern. Woleai had 4 days' worth of data missing, so this location was set to no data for the week, although adequate rain in recent weeks should mean that there is enough water to meet needs.

The Marshall Islands continued to be wet with most locations receiving more than 2 inches of rain, or enough to satisfy weekly water needs. Ailinglaplap reported 8.12 inches and Mili got 4.63 inches, while other locations received more than 2 inches. The Majuro reservoir, which has a maximum capacity of 36 million gallons, held 27,314 million gallons on Nov. 29.

American Samoa remained free of dry conditions. Rainfall for Pago Pago was 3.40 inches, Siufaga Ridge reported 1.80 inches, and Toa Ridge received 1.62 inches.

Looking Ahead

The upper-level ridge will dominate the weather over the western CONUS for the first half of the next USDM week, with a couple Pacific frontal systems moving in later in the week. For December 2-7, the fronts will bring an inch to locally 3 inches of precipitation to parts of coastal Washington and Oregon and the northern Rockies, with 1 to 2 inches in a wide swatch from eastern Oklahoma to the southern Appalachians and north across the Ohio Valley to parts of New England. Half an inch to an inch will spread from the swath to the central Gulf of Mexico coast and across the Great Lakes. Most of the Plains and Southwest, as well as much of Virginia, the Carolinas, and Florida, will receive little to no precipitation. Temperatures are expected to average warmer than normal across most of the CONUS during this period. For December 7-15, odds favor above-normal precipitation across the West and Ohio Valley, with lesser chances for above-normal precipitation in the northern Plains and along the East Coast. Odds favor near to below-normal precipitation in the southern Plains and southern Florida. Much of Alaska is likely to be wetter than normal. Odds favor warmer-than-normal temperatures across most of the CONUS, with near to below-normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and early in the Great Lakes. Alaska is likely to be colder than normal, especially in southern portions of the state.

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Several Pacific weather systems moved across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week. An upper-level ridge over the western CONUS directed the systems across the northern states, while a cutoff low trekked across Texas then into the Gulf of Mexico.

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K-State Library Research Guide for Water Advocates

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K-State Library Research Guide for Water Advocates

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Research Guides: Resources for Water Advocates: Home

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Guide for high school students researching to educate citizens of Kansas about water issues and conservation practices.

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Water Rights Laws in the Nineteen Western States

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Water Rights Laws in the Nineteen Western States

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Water Rights Laws in the Nineteen Western States

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Wells Aleck Hutchins , United States. Dept. of Agriculture. Natural Resource Economics Division

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KDA

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Welcome to the Kansas Department of Agriculture website. We are committed to food safety, consumer protection, natural resource protection and water resource management for the benefit of all Kansans.

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What is groundwater?

These kids probably think there is some kind of magic happening here ... they pull down a lever and out of the ground below their feet comes clear, cool freshwater. They (and maybe you) may not realize that there is an immense amount of water in below the earth's surface. In fact, there is a over a thousand times more water in the ground than is in all the world's rivers and lakes.

Some water underlies the Earth's surface almost everywhere, beneath hills, mountains, plains, and deserts. It is not always accessible, or fresh enough for use without treatment, and it's sometimes difficult to locate or to measure and describe. This water may occur close to the land surface, as in a marsh, or it may lie many hundreds of feet below the surface, as in some arid areas of the western United States. Water at very shallow depths might be just a few hours old; at moderate depth, it may be 100 years old; and at great depth or after having flowed long distances from places of entry, the water may have been in the ground for several thousand years.

Groundwater is a part of the natural water cycle (check out our interactive water cycle diagram). Some part of the precipitation that lands on the ground surface infiltrates into the subsurface. The part that continues downward through the soil until it reaches rock material that is saturated is groundwater recharge. Water in the saturated groundwater system moves slowly and may eventually discharge into streams, lakes, and oceans.

Here is a simplified diagram showing how the ground is saturated below the water table (the solid blue area at the bottom). The ground above the water table (the pink area) may be wet to a certain degree, but it does not stay saturated. The dirt and rock in this unsaturated zone contain air and some water and support the vegetation on the Earth. The saturated zone below the water table has water that fills the tiny spaces (pores) between rock particles and the cracks (fractures) of the rocks.

Why is there groundwater?

A couple of important factors are responsible for the existence of groundwater:
GRAVITY
Nothing surprising here - gravity pulls water and everything else toward the center of the Earth. That means that water on the surface will try to seep into the ground below it.
THE ROCKS BELOW OUR FEET
The rock below the Earth's surface is the bedrock. If all bedrock consisted of a dense material like solid granite, then even gravity would have a hard time pulling water downward. But Earth's bedrock consists of many types of rock, such as sandstone, granite, and limestone. Bedrocks have varying amounts of void spaces in them where groundwater accumulates. Bedrock can also become broken and fractured, creating spaces that can fill with water. And some bedrock, such as limestone, are dissolved by water -- which results in large cavities that fill with water.

In many places, if you looked at a vertical cross-section of the earth you would see that rock is laid down in layers, especially in areas of sedimentary rocks. Some layers have rocks that are more porous than others, and here water moves more freely (in a horizontal manner) through the earth. Sometimes water can be seen seeping out through exposed rock layers as seen in the photo.

Try as it might, gravity doesn't pull water all the way to the center of the Earth. Deep in the bedrock there are rock layers made of dense material, such as granite, or material that water has a hard time penetrating, such as clay. These layers may be underneath the porous rock layers and, thus, act as a confining layer to retard the vertical movement of water. Since it is more difficult for the water to go any deeper, it tends to pool in the porous layers and flow in a more horizontal direction across the aquifer toward an exposed surface-water body, like a river.

Visualize it this way: get two sponges and lay one on top of the other. Pour water (precipitation) on top and it will seep through the top sponge downward into the bottom sponge. If you stopped adding water, the top sponge would dry up and, as the water dripped out of the bottom sponge, it would dry up too. Now, put a piece of plastic wrap between the sponges, creating your "confining layer" (making the bottom sponge an impermeable rock layer that is too dense to allow water to flow through it). Now when you pour water on the top sponge, the water will seep downward until it hits the plastic wrap. The top sponge will become saturated, and when the water hits the plastic wrap it won't be able to seep into the second sponge. Instead, it will start flowing sideways and come out at the edges of the sponge (horizontal flow of groundwater). This happens in the earth all the time -- and it is an important part of the water cycle.

Do you think you know about groundwater?
Take our Groundwater true/false quiz, part of our Water Science Activity Center.
Quiz icon made by mynamepong from www.flaticon.com​​​​​​​

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These kids probably think there is some kind of magic happening here ... they pull down a lever and out of the ground below their feet comes clear, cool freshwater. They (and maybe you) may not realize that there is an immense amount of water in below the earth's surface.

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(how much water it takes to make/grow)

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Water content of foods and things, USGS Water Science School

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Water content of foods. How much water does it take to grow a hamburger? USGS Water Science School.

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Monthly flows recorded at 63 gaging stations were used to analyze droughts in Kansas by evaluating the cumulative departures of monthly streamflows from long-term average monthly discharges for each of the station records. As a result of the analysis, five droughts were identified: 1929-41, 1952-57, 1962-1972, 1974-82, and 1988.

The 1929-42 drought was regional in scale and affected many of the Midwestern and Western States. The recurrence interval was greater than 25 years throughout Kansas. Although the number of streamflow records long enough to include the entire drought was insufficient, data from adjoining States confirmed the severity. Agricultural losses during the 1929-41 drought were extreme, and many farms were abandoned.

The drought of 1952-57 also was regional. The drought recurrence interval was greater than 25 years statewide except in the Big Blue River Basin, where the recurrence interval was 10-25 years. Because of its severity and areal extent, the drought of 1952-57 is used as the base period for studies of reservoir yields in Kansas.

The duration of the 1962-72 regional drought varied considerably across the State. Many of the streamflow records indicated alternating less-than-average and greater-than-average flows, whereas others indicated a steady deficit throughout the entire period. Similarly, the drought of 1974-82 appeared to be a series of relatively short-duration droughts at several gaging stations but sustained or long-term droughts at others.

During the 1962-72 drought, the recurrence interval generally was greater than 25 years. However, in parts of the northwestern, northeastern, southern, and southeastern areas of the State, recurrence intervals were 10-25 years. The recurrence interval of the 1974-82 drought was greater than 25 years in the north-central and southeastern parts but was between 10 and 25 years across the remaining eastern two-thirds of the State. Because of inadequate streamflow information for comparison, the severity of the 1974-82 drought could not be determined in the western one-third of the State.
1988
The severity of the 1988 drought varied across the State. The drought was most severe in the southwestern, central, and northeastern parts of the State but minimal in the northwestern and southeastern parts. At the beginning of the drought, reservoir storage was near or above average; hence, surface-water supplies were sufficient to meet demands through the end of water year 1988. Rainfall during the period generally was less than 50 percent of the long-term average, and quantities were insufficient to maintain soil moisture or contribute to ground-water supplies. The decreased soil moisture resulted in considerable damage to maturing grain crops, decreased the growth of forage grasses, and threatened the germination of the winter wheat crop. Estimated losses to 1988 crops resulting from the effects of the drought were $1 billion (Wichita Eagle and Beacon, June 7, 1989). Water levels in the shallow aquifers declined rapidly, which resulted in the abandonment of many domestic water wells. At the end of 1988, the effects of the drought were continuing to worsen. As a result, State and local officials were considering measures to decrease water use and were requesting financial relief for the agricultural industry.

The drought of 1988 continued into the 1990's, but at a reduced level. In the fall of 1989 precipitation returned to near normal, and the spring of 1990 was somewhat wet. However, by the fall of 1990 it had dried out again and continued until July of 1992. It has continued to be on the wet side since the fall of 1992, except for a dry winter of 1995-96 and the current water year (2000).

(Modified from Clement, R.W., 1991, Kansas floods and droughts, in Paulson, R.W., Chase, E.B., Roberts, R.S., and Moody, D.W., compilers, National water summary 1988-89 -- Hydrologic events and floods and droughts: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, p. 287-294.)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kansas District receives numerous inquiries, by phone or mail, from citizens attempting to obtain scientific information on a wide variety of subjects, including floods and droughts. While we always make every attempt to fill an information request, we also feel it is our responsibility to pass on to the appropriate person or agency any request that we are unable to handle directly. Listed below are some frequently asked questions with answers to better guide you in obtaining appropriate information.
Where can I obtain information about streamflow and drought conditions for streams in Kansas?
More information may be obtained at the following sites:
What is the status of the lakes and reservoirs in Kansas? What areas of the United States are experiencing drought?
More information may be obtained at the following sites:
How does El Niño/La Niña affect droughts/floods?
In Kansas, there is a tendency for El Niño to increase precipitation totals and for La Niña to decrease precipitation totals. Normally, during El Niño conditions, the southern half od the country experiences wetter than normal conditions while the northern half experiences drier than normal conditions. During La Niña conditions, the tendencies are reversed. Kansas can experience varying conditions since it is located in the center of the country. For more information visit climate.gov.

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Monthly flows recorded at 63 gaging stations were used to analyze droughts in Kansas by evaluating the cumulative departures of monthly streamflows from long-term average monthly discharges for each of the station records. As a result of the analysis, five droughts were identified: 1929-41, 1952-57, 1962-1972, 1974-82, and 1988.

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http://waterinthewest.stanford.edu/news-events/news-press-releases/lessons-kansas-more-sustainable-groundwater-management-approach

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Water, like other natural resources enjoyed so bountifully by Kansans, is protected for the use and benefit of the citizens of this state. Water should be used wisely and good conservation measures should be practiced by all water users.

The Kansas Water Appropriation Act protects both the people's right to use Kansas water and the state's supplies of groundwater and surface water for the future.

The law is administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources, which issues permits to appropriate water, regulates usage, and keeps records of all water rights in the state.

It is illegal for individuals in Kansas to use water without holding a vested right or applying for, and receiving a permit to appropriate water from the Division of Water Resources.

The exception is water used solely for domestic purposes - that is, water primarily used for the household, watering livestock on pasture, or watering up to two acres of lawn and gardens. No permit is needed for that class of water usage.

The Water Appropriation Act affects all Kansans. If you are a farmer who uses irrigation to grow crops, it requires you to obtain a permit and to make yearly reports of the water you use. If you are a city dweller who drinks, washes with, or cavorts in, city water, you likely are able to do so because your municipality has a water right or rights.

The right to use Kansas water is based on the principle of "first in time - first in right." In times of shortage, that means the earliest water right or permit holders have first rights to use the water. The maintenance of water right and permit records allows Kansas water to be apportioned fairly.

. . . the Water Appropriation Act is Kansas law. Violating it can subject you to a maximum of six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Why is it so important to follow proper procedures to obtain a water right and report use of water? One reason is to protect the investment in your right to divert water for beneficial use on your farm for irrigation, a feedlot, recreational reservoir, or in your municipality, water supply district, or industry. Another reason is to protect Kansas water resources for tomorrow and future generations. Finally, you should remember that the Water Appropriation Act is Kansas law. Violating that law can subject you to a maximum of six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Step by Step Guide to Obtaining a Water Right

1. File an Application

Contact the Division of Water Resources for an application to appropriate water for beneficial use. Anyone who wishes to use water for any purpose other than domestic use must file an application accompanied by a filing fee which is determined by the amount of water to be appropriated. Obtain a form from the Division of Water Resources, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Applications filed within a groundwater management district are reviewed by the district, and recommendations are made based on the policies, and rules and regulations of that district.

2. Receive Permit

If it is determined that: (1) water is available at the desired location; (2) its appropriation will not interfere with other area water rights, minimum desirable streamflow, or the public interest; and (3) it meets all other Division requirements, the application may be approved.

3. Complete Diversion Works

After the permit is issued by the Division of Water Resources, its holder is free to complete the authorized diversion works by drilling and completing a well, pumpsite or building a dam within the time allowed. Check valves also are required for safety in chemigation use. The permit holder then must notify the Division of Water Resources of the completion of the diversion works and submit the required field inspection fee. If required, water flow meters must be installed before water is put to use and before a notice of completion of the diversion works can be accepted. (A dam impounding more than 50 acre-feet of water requires an additional permit from the Division's Water Structures Section.)

4. Develop the Water Right

At this point the applicant has a specific period of time, usually four to five years, to "perfect"- or to develop -the water right by actually using water as authorized by the permit. If more time is needed, an extension of time must be requested in writing with the required fee, before expiration of this period. The water right is based on the year of the largest amount of beneficial use within the terms, conditions, and limitations of the approval of the application.

5. Field Inspection

After the water right has been completed, the Division of Water Resources conducts a field inspection to determine such things as rates of diversion of water, where and how the water has been used, as well as other numerous details of the actual operation in relation to the perfection - or development - of the water right. These tests will determine the maximum and normal rates of water diversion. Water use reports and other information also will be analyzed to determine the quantity of water diverted and acres irrigated each year within the limits of the permit.

6. Comment on Draft Certificate

After the Division of Water Resources determines the extent of water right developed, the water right holder will receive a draft certificate of appropriation. He or she has 30 days to comment on the proposed certificate of appropriation.

7. Certificate Issued

When the water right holder receives the actual certificate, he or she must file it with the Register of Deeds in each county where the authorized point or points of diversion is/are located.

8. Water Use Reported Yearly

After the application to appropriate water is approved, the permit holder is required to complete and return a yearly report of water use no later than March 1 of each year. The forms, which are mailed in January to the permit holder or to the designated water use correspondent, are for the previous year's usage. The Kansas legislature has made the report of water use mandatory and authorized fines for late reporting. Deliberate falsification of data on a report is a class C misdemeanor. Water use reports are used to perfect the water right and prove it has not been abandoned. Reports must be submitted even if water was not used in the previous year and the reason for nonuse explained.

Special Cases

Abandonment of a Water Right

A water right is considered abandoned after five successive years of nonuse without due and sufficient cause. Examples of due and sufficient cause for nonuse include such reasons as water being unavailable from the source of supply, adequate moisture is provided by natural precipitation for production of crops normally requiring full or partial irrigation within the region of the state in which the place of use is located, or temporary pollution of the water supply. Also, a groundwater right, in an area that has been closed to new appropriations by rule, regulation or order of the chief engineer shall be deemed to have due and sufficient cause for nonuse and shall not be deemed abandoned.

Changing a Water Right

If a water right holder wants to change such things as the place of use, the type of water use, or a point of diversion, he or she is required to file an application for change with the Division of Water Resources, and to pay the appropriate filing fee. Some parts of Kansas have no water available for new permits. In those areas, acquisition of an existing water right and obtaining approval to change one of the features may be the only way to meet such a change request.

Temporary Permits

Temporary permits are available for water use which will last less than six months and generally consist of less than four million gallons of water used for non-domestic purposes. Temporary permits, which often are issued for such purposes as oil well drilling or small construction projects, must be accompanied by a filing fee.

Where to Find Help

You can contact the Division of Water Resources at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, Kansas 66502-5000, or call (785) 564-6640.

For your convenience, Division of Water Resources field offices are located across the state.

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Water, like other natural resources enjoyed so bountifully by Kansans, is protected for the use and benefit of the citizens of this state. Water should be used wisely and good conservation measures should be practiced by all water users.

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http://www.lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3611http://www.lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3611

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The world is teetering on the edge of a food crisis due to the growing population, soaring food prices, and water scarcity, yet a shocking one third of the food produced around the world goes to waste.

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Water. Whether it falls from the sky or is pumped from the Ogallala aquifer, water is of central importance to the High Plains economy and way of life. Groundwater pumped from the Ogallala aquifer (the principal formation of the High Plains aquifer system) has transformed the region from a Dustbowl to an agricultural powerhouse. More than 30% of U.S. crops and livestock are produced in this region, significantly impacting domestic and international food supplies.

Extensive pumping has led to significant depletion of the Ogallala aquifer and declining water quality in certain areas. Careful management of the Ogallala aquifer resource today and for the long-​term is critical to communities of this region.

The Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project, a multi-​disciplinary collaborative effort funded by USDA-​NIFA, is focused on developing and sharing practical, science-​supported information relevant to best management practices for optimizing water use across the Ogallala region. Our interdisciplinary team is engaged in research, outreach and cooperative partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders, working to support current and future generations of producers in the region.

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Water. Whether it falls from the sky or is pumped from the Ogallala aquifer, water is of central importance to the High Plains economy and way of life. Groundwater pumped from the Ogallala aquifer (the principal formation of the High Plains aquifer system) has transformed the region from a Dustbowl to an agricultural powerhouse.

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https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency

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http://geokansas.ku.edu/water-quality-quantity-and-regulations