The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest $2.6 million in 4 multi-year projects in Kansas that aim to build vital infrastructure while conserving natural resources through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program. NRCS works with local groups to help prevent floods, protect watersheds, improve agricultural water management and enhance wildlife habitat through this program.

“The health of the nation’s watersheds is important to reduce potential damage from flooding and erosion,” said Karen A. Woodrich, NRCS State Conservationist for Kansas. “This program plays a critical role in protecting lives and property, and improving natural resources within our watersheds.”

The projects involve existing authorized watershed plans and will take place in smaller watersheds that cover 250,000 acres or less. The projects are owned by local sponsors, such as local watershed districts. NRCS serves as the primary technical advisor to project sponsors because of its engineering and environmental expertise, and knowledge about the watershed’s natural resources and ecosystem.

Kansas’ projects include Doyle Creek, Grasshopper Coal Creek, Middle Creek, and North Black Vermillion. Since funds have not been available for flood control in several years, this funding will be used to update these four workplans containing 48 unbuilt dams with current data. According to Woodrich, these Kansas projects will undergo planning, design, and construction phases before completion. Kansas has 830 flood control dams constructed to date.

Since 1947, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program has helped communities address critical needs on flood control, water management, and watershed protection and development. This strong federal, state, and local partnership has resulted in the construction of more than 2,000 watershed projects that have helped communities in every State and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Nearly 12,000 dams have helped communities and rural areas nationwide.

For more information, go to the Kansas NRCS website www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov or visit your local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center. To find a service center near you, go to offices.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.