Ross_Irrigation
75th Anniversary
2020 marked 75 years of the Kansas Water Appropriations Act
"First in time, first in right"
Read more about the KWAA:
KWAA at 50
Read more about Kansas water law:
Kansas Water Law by KSRE

The Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources field offices are now making themselves available to the public by appointment during regular business hours.

KDA field offices serve water users statewide. Each office is managed by a water commissioner, who is the chief engineer's agent, and each is staffed with employees familiar with local water issues.

If you need to speak with someone in person, please contact the appropriate field office to schedule an appointment. All staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings in public areas of KDA buildings, except where social distancing can be maintained.

Topeka/Parsons     785-296-5733      Brett.Bunger@ks.gov
Stafford   620-234-5311      Jeff.Lanterman@ks.gov
Stockton   785-425-6787  Kelly.Stewart@ks.gov
Garden City   620-276-2901, or
620-765-7110 
Mike.Meyer@ks.gov



Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources administers 30 laws and responsibilities including the Kansas Water Appropriation Act which governs how water is allocated and used; statutes regulating the construction of dams, levees and other changes to streams; the state's four interstate river compacts; as well as coordinating the national flood insurance program in Kansas.

COMMON SEARCHES


  • Paper Filing Fee / Online support options: Information about the $20 per water right paper filing fee that will be applied to 2018 water use reporting.
  • Quivira: Information about the investigation of the impairment complaint filed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. 
  • Hays R9: Information about the City of Hays' applications to KDA-DWR for water right changes and water transfer of the R9 Ranch.
  • Water Conservation Area (WCA): Information about WCAs and active or pending WCA plans. 
  • Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA): Information about LEMAs including the GMD No. 4 District-wide LEMA, the Sheridan County 6 LEMA and the proposed GMD No. 5 Rattlesnake/Quivira LEMA.
  • Wichita ASR: Information about the City's request for changes to the conditions associated with the Phase II Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project.
  • Kickapoo Water Right: Information on the Kickapoo Indian Reservation Water Right Settlement Agreement.
  • Republican River CompactInformation on the latest resolutions and annual meetings between Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska on this compact.
  • Multi-Year Flex Accounts (MYFAs)
  • DWR Approved Meter List: Current list of approved water flowmeters, forms and instructions.
  • Minimum Desirable Streamflow (MDS): Streams subject to and currently under MDS administration.
Division of Water Resources in the News

Second Hearing Scheduled for Wichita County LEMA Plan

A second public hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020, in Leoti to consider a Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA) management plan in a designated area in Wichita County.

A second public hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020, in Leoti to consider a Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA) management plan in a designated area in Wichita County. The virtual-hybrid hearing will provide the opportunity for in-person oral statements as well as virtual participation online.

The Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1 has recommended the approval of the LEMA management plan which was found acceptable for consideration by the Acting Chief Engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Following the initial public hearing held August 14, it was determined that the three initial requirements for approval of the LEMA plan are satisfied. This second public hearing will consider whether the proposed corrective control provisions in the LEMA plan are sufficient, and whether the plan shall be accepted or rejected or if modifications should be proposed.

Anyone may submit written or oral statements to be included in the record of the hearing. In-person oral statements will be accepted at the public hearing at the St. Anthony Catholic Church Parish Hall at 600 S. Fourth Street in Leoti. Oral statements can also be submitted online; anyone desiring to provide an online oral statement or make a visual presentation via Zoom must submit their request at least 24 hours prior to the hearing by notifying Ronda Hutton at 785-564-6715 or by email at Ronda.Hutton@ks.gov. A copy of any visual presentation to be used as part of online testimony must also be submitted 24 hours in advance of the initial hearing. Advance sign up is not required for those wishing to testify in person in Leoti.

Written statements may be submitted at the public hearing or sent to KDA in one of three ways: mailed to WHC LEMA, c/o Ronda Hutton, 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, Kansas 66502; faxed to 785-564-6777; or e-mailed to Ronda.Hutton@ks.gov.

Written comments will be accepted if delivered on or before Friday, December 4, 2020. More details about the hearing including a link to the live hearing and a copy of the proposed plan and related documents are available online at www.agriculture.ks.gov/WHCL.

WHAT:      Public hearing on proposed regulations regarding proposed LEMA

WHEN:      9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020

WHERE:    Online: link available at www.agriculture.ks.gov/WHCL

                 In person: St. Anthony Catholic Church Parish Hall, 600 S. Fourth Street, Leoti


DWR Index

Questions about the Division of Water Resources 

Looking for answers to frequently asked questions? Check out our FAQ page.