The City of Hays is over nine inches below average rainfall, having received, so far, just over 13 inches for the year. As the area continues to suffer through exceptional drought, City Manager Toby Dougherty informed the commission Thursday night that he will request a release from Cedar Bluff Reservoir.

This will be the first time the city has requested a release from Cedar Bluff, which has just under 1,300 acre feet available for aquifer recharge.

Dougherty says the city will continue with conservation measures which have saved nearly 300 million gallons of water since implemented in 1992.