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Watershed Program Turns 50

Background

On August 4, 2004, 50 years have passed since Congress enacted the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. This legislation has been invaluable in assessing and managing Kansas's natural resources.

Governor's ProclamationTo bring attention to this day, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a Proclamation designating August 4, 2004, as the 50th Anniversary of the Federal PL-566 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program in Kansas and urging all citizens to join in this important observance.

USDA's Small Watershed Program is carried out under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954; Public Law 83-566. Under an earlier pilot national watershed program in 1953-54, five pilot watershed projects were established in Kansas. Public Law 83-566 then expanded this to an ongoing nationwide program.

The Small Watershed Program assists local organizations in conducting watershed surveys and investigations and in planning and installing structural and land treatment measures. The watershed program is helping communities across the Nation meet local resource needs, such as:

  • Flood protection for agricultural land and urban areas
  • Flood Control
  • Fish and wildlife habitat
  • Conservation practices
  • Irrigation
  • Water-based recreation
  • Water quality improvement
  • Water supply
  • Recreational areas
  • Erosion and sediment control

Benefits of the Watershed Program in Kansas

Kansas is a leader in the PL-566 program. Only four other states have more authorized PL-566 projects.  In the last 50 years 1,000 PL-566 small watershed dams in 62 watershed districts have been planned with over 776 built. These dams provide an annual benefit of $34 million to the citizens of Kansas. Additionally, 198 dams remain to be built, and those would provide additional benefits of $8 million.   In addition, 344 land treatment contracts have been completed with an additional 160 remaining to be funded.

Small watershed dams are essential to the continued economic and social development of rural Kansas. Small watershed dams provide a return of $1.75 per $1 spent.

Documents on this page require Acrobat Reader.

Watershed Projects (PDF; 457 KB) (Text version)
Status of Watershed Projects (PDF; 98 KB) (Text version)