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 Compact: Information 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
All news

Groundwater Management District No. 2 Expands Boundaries

Following a public hearing in October 2016, a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2 (GMD 2) was approved by David Barfield, Chief Engineer in the Division of Water Resources at the Kansas Department of Agriculture on July 7, 2017.

Following a public hearing in October 2016, a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2 (GMD 2) was approved by David Barfield, Chief Engineer in the Division of Water Resources at the Kansas Department of Agriculture on July 7, 2017.

GMD 2 comprises portions of four counties in south central Kansas which rely upon the Equus Beds aquifer as the principal source of fresh and usable water. The boundary expansion resulted from a resolution which was brought to the chief engineer by the GMD 2 Board of Directors to request annexation of a territory which is part of the same hydrologic community of interest as the existing district.

The resolution was followed by a petition, submission of maps and evidence, as well as written and oral testimony, comments, and other documents as part of the public hearing. Based upon the materials presented, the chief engineer determined that the requirements for the expansion of a groundwater management district were met and the expansion became effective upon his approval of the resolution.

Details about the expansion, including the original resolution and petition and a detailed description of the expansion areas, can be found at the KDA–DWR website at agriculture.ks.gov/GMDs.

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Questions about the Division of Water Resources 

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