The Cities of Hays and Russell had been approached by the Corps of Engineers about conducting a lowhead dam study to see if there is a way to capture water to recharge the aquifer. Russell has declined, and Hays Commissioner Henry Schwaller says he’s saddened that the Russell City Council apparently does not trust Hays or want to continue to work together on water issues.

Schwaller asked city staff to look into the procedure to withdraw Hays from membership in Public Wholesale Water Supply District #15.

The Hays City Commission did approve partnering with the Corps and the Kansas Water Office on the study, part of which, would be to find a way for water releases requested by Russell to bypass and not be impeded by any lowhead dams.