WASHINGTON, DC – With historic drought conditions across the state, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has pledged it will cease releasing waters August 7 from three Kansas River reservoirs–Tuttle Creek, Milford and Perry Lake–allowing critical water to remain in the state.
Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers announced it would release water from the Kansas River reservoirs until at least August 8th and retain the option to reopen the flow from the reservoirs in October. The Army Corps said the decision was to assist with river navigation and also to comply with the Endangered Species Act to preserve wildlife and their habitat north of Kansas.
Following a letter from Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and phone calls to Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Water Management Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, from U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and Kansas Water Office staff, the Army Corps agreed to discontinue tapping Kansas reservoirs August 7, 2012 through the end of the release season, pledging not to release water in October. Wildlife and navigation needs will continue to be addressed.
Senator Roberts and Governor Brownback brought together state, local and federal government officials, along with representatives from the agriculture industry, last Wednesday to talk about the effects of the drought across Kansas and how best to coordinate assistance for local farmers and ranchers.