MSC News

MSC News National Headlines Sports Top Headlines CBS US News CBS Technology

Drought Update

01/21/2013

2012 was the warmest and the 7th driest in 119 years for the state as a whole.

Kansas is overall about 9 inches behind normal. Kansas is divided into 9 regions. Precipitation to end the drought varies from 2 inches in southwest Kansas to around 8 inches in the northeast and the east central. While the dust bowl 1930's were the driest years in Kansas, there were few gauges to measure stream flow. July of 1954 was the driest with over 50 % of the state much below normal in stream flow. July of 2012 had over 90% of the state in much below normal for stream flow. Right now, the drought outlook for all of Kansas is predicted to last at least through April.

All of the reservoirs that provide municipal and industrial water supply combined are at 71% of conservation pool. John Redmond got as low as 40% while Tuttle and Cheney were at 55%. New record low stream and river flows were recorded at 9 United States Geological Survey gages, and 34 tied previous records. 60 had no flow at some point in 2012.

It is expected that the Ogallala aquifer is down 5 feet and that will be measured at the end of January. The Kansas Water Office is moving ahead to develop a plan to dredge John Redmond reservoir. John Redmond holds back-up water for the Wolfcreek Nuclear Power Plant. There will be several bills dealing with water rights and conservation plans.

You will need to be logged in to leave a comment.

Please Login

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.

Click here to review our Terms of Use.