News Release

Streamflow Records Fall with River Levels

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, streamflow was below normal at more than 95 percent of the long-term streamgages in Kansas, the highest percentage of streamgages flowing below normal since the current drought began. Generally, it is expected that only 25 percent of rivers would flow below normal, on any given day. �On June 28, streamflow conditions in the Republican River, Kansas River, and Verdigris River basins ranged from moderate to severe hydrologic drought, while streamflow at the other Kansas River basins was generally below normal. �Current drought information is available at http://ks.water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/drought/index.shtml and maps and graphs of comparisons of current conditions and historic conditions can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=dryw.

The state of Kansas has established minimum desirable streamflow (MDS) for 32 rivers in Kansas. When streamflow is less than the State MDS for 7 consecutive days, administrative processes begin to curtail surface-water diversions for those with junior water rights. The Republican River at Concordia has flowed below state MDS every day in 2006. Low water levels in the Kansas River can affect municipal water users along the river. No significant water supply problems have been reported, however, some voluntary conservation measures are in place in communities along the river.

Lack of significant rainfall and low ground-water levels in western Kansas that affect river flow are largely the cause of the current low streamflow conditions.� Kansas State University Extension and Research report that precipitation was only 62 percent of normal in June.

The USGS streamgage on the Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, one of the oldest river gages in Kansas with 94 years of record, had an average May streamflow equal to that recorded in 1895, the second lowest average May flow ever recorded. Average June streamflow at the Ellsworth gage was 19.4 cfs, smashing the previous lowest average monthly flow for June of 24.2 cfs recorded in 1988. The average annual streamflow at the Ellsworth gage in 2005 broke the previous lowest average annual recorded in 1983. �Average May and June flow at the USGS streamgage at Big Creek near Hays broke the previous record lows recorded in 1956. Without significant rainfall for the remainder of the year, 2006 annual flows at many USGS streamgages will be added to the low-flow record books.

The USGS in Kansas operates over 170 streamgages in Kansas that are funded by Federal, State, and local agencies.� More than 100 of these streamgages have collected data for more than 30 years. �Streamflow information is used for water right administration, monitoring floods and droughts, bridge design, and many other uses. USGS streamflow data for Kansas is available at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ks/nwis/rt.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to: describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

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