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

Comment Period for Quivira Impairment Complaint Extended

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has extended the comment period for the first draft of the initial report on the investigation of the impairment complaint by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service (FWS) regarding Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has extended the comment period for the first draft of the initial report on the investigation of the impairment complaint by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service (FWS) regarding Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. At the request of the Big Bend Groundwater Management District #5, the comment period has been extended until May 13, 2016. Comments can be submitted by mail to the KDA Division of Water Resources (DWR) at 1320 Research Park Dr., Manhattan, KS 66502, or by e-mail to Chris.Beightel@kda.ks.gov.

The U.S. FWS owns and operates the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, a wetland of international significance and part of the central U.S. flyway. U.S. FWS filed an impairment complaint with KDA-DWR in April of 2013, claiming that its water right in the lower end of the Rattlesnake Creek Basin has been impaired. KDA-DWR is working with stakeholders in the basin to develop and evaluate alternatives to address the resource problems. 

The revised schedule for finalizing the impairment report is as follows:

  • May 13, 2016, end of review period for first draft of the Initial Report
  • May 30, 2016, KDA-DWR to publish second draft of the Initial Report
  • July 1, 2016, end of review period for first draft of the Initial Report
  • July 15, 2106, KDA-DWR to publish Final Report

More information on the complaint and on the investigation of the complaint can be found on the KDA website, agriculture.ks.gov/quivira.


DWR Index

Questions about the Division of Water Resources 

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