|
Schematic of the artificial recharge process
Introduction
The water supply for the city of Wichita, south-central Kansas, currently comes from the
Equus Beds aquifer and Cheney Reservoir. Because these sources are not expected to meet
projected city water needs into the 21st century (Warren and others, 1995), artificial
recharge of the Equus Beds aquifer is being investigated as one alternative to meet future
water-supply demands. An additional potential benefit of artificial recharge includes
preventing degradation of the water quality of the aquifer by saltwater plumes from the
Arkansas River to the southwest and the Burrton oil field to the northwest (Ziegler and others, 1999).
The Equus Beds Artificial Recharge project diverts water from the Little Arkansas
River for artificial recharge when flow in the river exceeds base flow in accordance
with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources, permit
conditions (Burns and McDonnell, 1998). Water is artificially recharged to the
Equus Beds aquifer, which is part of the High Plains aquifer and consists of
alluvial (river-deposited) sediments of sand and gravel interbedded with clay
and silt.
Map of Operations for Equus Beds Groundwater Recharge Project
Links to the City of Wichita Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program:
http://www.wichitawaterproject.org/
http://www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/WaterAndSewer/ProductionAndPumping/ASR/
For additional information, please write or call:
Andy Ziegler
U.S. Geological Survey
Kansas Water Science Center
4821 Quail Crest Place
Lawrence, KS 66049-3839
Telephone: (785) 832-3539
Fax: (785) 832-3500
Email: GS-W-KS_equus@usgs.gov
|
The USGS has collected hydrologic information in Kansas since 1895 with the first USGS Cooperative
Water Program funding agreement for 6 streamflow gages with the Kansas Water Board. USGS collects streamflow
and gage-height data; reservoir content; water-quality and water-quantity data; suspended-sediment data;
and groundwater levels. Hydrologic studies are conducted on national, regional, statewide, and local levels.
The USGS in Kansas works cooperatively with 31 Federal, State, and local agencies, such as the Kansas Water Office, the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Wichita 
