Water Use in Kansas
Kelsey Yocum, Kyle Nicholas 41-301 Water Resources Management
Table 2.1: Water Use in Kansas, 1990 and 2005.
(Data Source: Kenney, J.F., et al. 2009, Solley, W.B., et al. 1993)
(Data Source: Kenney, J.F., et al. 2009)
Water Use in Kansas
Introduction
This poster shows the water uses, availability, and case study for the state of Kansas. It gives a good over view of where the major water sources in Kansas are
located and how they have impacted the state. This poster also compares the differences and kinds of water availability in 2005 and 1990. It explains how much
irrigation can impact a water supply. It also gives a good idea of how much water we rely on for daily practices. Our case study discuses one of the states major
controversy's of fluorinated water. We discuss the impacts it can have on a water supply and some of the benefits that also come along with it.
The changes in water use result from the changes in population, growth of wind farms and
agricultural departments. From 1990- 2005 the population increased by 185,042 people (USGS).
This number means a lot in per capita use. Think of the volume of water five people could obtain
compared to thousands. This population increase affected public supply (domestic and
commercial) for the most part. In 1990 public supply was only 1% out of total water withdrawals in
Kansas (USGS). In 2005 the public supply went up to 11% of total water withdrawals (USGS). In
the western parts of the state (which contains large areas of cattle farms) a rapid growth of wind
farms occurred as a result of a green movement. The state realized that it was a lot cleaner than
burning coal. Another side of their green movement resulted in agricultural departments taking
precautionary principles. Some examples are increases in: no-till farming, water permits, and
property rights. No-till farming of alfalfa hay increased water infiltration for many parts of the state.
Water permits limit the amount of water that can be withdrawn from ground and surface water.
Overall the water use in 2005 decreased by 2,290mgpd (USGS). As long as Kansas continues to
take precautionary principles they should continue to see better changes in the years to come.
Climate and Hydrology
In western Kansas the climate becomes much drier. Its annual evaporation varies due to
changes in weather patterns.[ K]ansas receives 60 to 70 inches of evaporation in the
south west while in central Kansas there is 50 to 60 inches. Once you move northeast
there is only forty to fifty inches per year of evaporation. The western part of the state
receives sixteen inches of rain annually. The eastern part of the state receives twice the
amount; at thirty-two inches per year. Runoff occurs more often in the southeast at 20
inches per year versus 0.2 inches in the west( USGS). The 100th meridian divides the
great difference in precipitation from the arid west from the humid east in the United
States. The western part of Kansas in considered semi-arid. This means this part of the
state is mostly dry receiving small amounts of precipitation. It does not receive as much
rain as eastern Kansas because it is further from the Gulf of Mexico. (Figure 1.1) below
shows the annual average precipitation of Kansas. Most of the water is returned to the
atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
There are three major rivers commonly known in Kansas; they are: The Arkansas River,
The Missouri River and the Kansas River. The Arkansas River runs through four states
while the Missouri River runs through ten. The Missouri river runs into the Kansas River.
The Kansas River runs for 171 miles(USGS). The Arkansas River runs parallel to the
Kansas River. The figure (1.2) shows where these rivers are located in Kansas. The
Tuttle Creek , Cheney Creek and Waconda Lake make up the major lakes in Kansas.
Tuttle Creek and Cheney Creek are manmade reservoirs while Lake Waconda is a
reservoir(USGS)
The population of Kansas relies heavily on water for farming. From 1990 to 2005 the state of
Kansas’s biggest water use had been Irrigation and Livestock. The lowest water use was
Industrial and mining throughout both years. The western parts of Kansas occupy most of the
farming in the state. Kansas was ranked the 27th highest use for water in 1990. In 2005 Kansas
ranked the 34th highest states for water use. The total water use has decreased about 38%
(USGS). Although the total water use has decreased over the years, water levels have gone
down due to environmental impacts. They have lowered due to decreases in water infiltration and
ground water mining from aquifers.
Population
Per capita water use(gpd)
Land area (mi2)
Water use per mi2 of land (gpd)
Total Withdrawls (mgpd)
Public Supply, Domestic &
Commercial
Irrigation & livestock
Industrial & Mining
Thermoelectric
Surface Water (mgpd)
Public Supply, Domestic &
Commercial
Irrigation & livestock
Industrial & Mining
Thermoelectric
Ground Water (mgpd)
Public Supply, Domestic &
Commercial
Irrigation & livestock
Industrial & Mining
Thermoelectric
1990
2005
% Change
2,478,000
2,460
82,277
74,077
6,084
2,740,000
1,382
82,277
46,027
3,787
10%
-44%
-38%
-38%
398
4,304
79
1,303
1,721
197
230
4
1290
4,360
2%
72%
2%
23%
418
2,853
57
459
12%
75%
1%
12%
5%
33%
28%
-65%
28%
839
22%
-51%
72%
242
142
11
445
2,948
201
4,073
75
13
78%
176
2711
46
14
Figure 1.1: Annual Average Precipitation (Kansas Geological
Survey, 2000)
Figure 1.2: Major rivers in Kansas (Enchanted learning, 2011)
1990
There are two major River basins in Kansas and one major aquifer. The two river basins
are the Missouri River Basin and the Arkansas River Basin. Another river basin in
Kansas is the Solomon River Basin(USGS). (Figure 1.3) to the right shows the Solomon
River Basin. The major Aquifer in Kansas is the High Planes Aquifer, also known as the
Ogallala aquifer. The High Plains Aquifer is an example of an unconfined aquifer. (see
figure 1.5) It covers parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and South
Dakota. A few years ago the Solomon river Basin was being depleted of water from water
mining of the Ogallala aquifer. Today water coming out of the basins is better monitored.
More water management systems continue to spread across Kansas today(USGS).
2005
Figure 2.2: Withdrawl water use in Kansas by category, 1990 and
2005
(Data Source: Kenney, J.F., et al. 2009, Solley, W.B., et al. 1993)
Figure 2.1: Withdrawl water use in Kansas by category, 2005
(Data Source: Kenney, J.F., et al. 2009)
Case Study: Fluorinated water in Wichita, Kansas
Figure 1.3: Solomon River Basin, Kansas (Kansas Department of
Agriculture, 2006)
Figure 1.4: Major river basins in Kansas (USGS, 2004)
Figure 1.5: High Plains Regional Groundwater
Study (USGS, 2011)
References
Cech, Thomas. 2005.Principles of Water Resources: history, Development, Management, and Policy. 2nd. Kansas Facts Maps and State Symbols. Photograph.
Center for Disease Control, 2008,CDC Reports on Fluoridation. Photograph
Fredeen, Charles. 2002. Kansas. Lerner Publications Company,. 13-14.
"GROUND WATER ATLAS of the UNITED STATES." USGS. usgs.gov, n.d. retrieved September 20, 2011. from <http://pubs.usgs.gov/ha/ha730/ch_d/D-text.html>.
John Colquhoun,1997, Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 41, 1, Autumn 1997. Photograph
Kansas Geological Survey, 2005. "Groundwater Occurences." KGS-Kansas Groundwater Use. retrieved Sep 20, 2011. from <http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/Bulletins/ED10/04_occur.html>.
KDA, 2006. "Solomon River Basin." Kansas Department of Agriculture. retrieved. November 21 2011. from <http://www.ksda.gov/subbasin/content/202>.
Kenny, J.F., Barber, N.L., Hutson, S.S., Linsey, K.S., Lovelace, J.K., and Maupin, M.A. (2009) Estimated use of water in the United States in 2005. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 134. Retrieved November 20, 2011, from <http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/>
Kohler et al. 1959. "Mean Annual Lake Evaporation, 1946-1955." Infographic. First Dunne and Lepld. Retrieved October 20.2011. from <http://www.unl.edu/nac/atlas/Map_Html/Climate/National/Mean_Annual_Lake_Evaporation/ET.htm>.
KSDA Basin Management Team. 2006. Solomon River Basin. Photograph. Kansas Department of Agriculture, Topeka.
Mann, Fred. 2011 "National Dental-health Coalition Urges Water Fluoridation” retrieved November 18, 2011. from <http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/16/2104545/national-dental-health-coalition.html>.
Background
Top dentists are urging the city of Wichita, Kansas to start adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water. In past
years Wichita has decided not to put fluoride in their water supply. Wichita is one of the last cities that do not
fluorinate their water supply. Fluoridation is the act of adding fluoride to a water supply to try and better the
community’s oral health. Many dentists believe that fluorination is something that should be performed, no
questions about it. They notice improvements throughout the community’s health when fluorination is used.
Even though, there is a large amount of scientific data to support that fluorination of water is overall a very good
idea, there is still some opposition to the idea of fluorinating Wichita’s water supply. Fluorination of water has
been happening is America since 1945. Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first city in the world to become
artificially fluorinated in 1945. Studies in later years proved that children in Grand Rapids had a much lower
tooth decay rate than children in neighboring towns and cities. When water is fluorinated it is set a 1part per
million which is a very tiny amount compared to other chemical levels the Environmental Protection Agency
allows cities to put in the drinking water. More cavities and bad oral health overall can be seen when looking at
other states throughout America that do not use water fluoridation.
Reasons why it is a good idea
Fluorination is generally regarded as a good idea. Fluoride is found in some level in all water supplies. The
issue cities face is to increase their waters fluoride levels to try and benefit the community. The main benefit of
fluorination results in healthier teeth for the community. The citizens have less cavities, gingivitis, and other
teeth and gum diseases. Most dentists are in favor of fluorination (Fred Mann). “Water fluoridation is a nobrainer” (Fred Mann). “There has been a dramatic decline in tooth decay among children since the 1960’s;
adding fluoride to the city water is largely responsible for the decline” (Fred Mann). Wichita is among the top
cities with the worst dental health in America. A group of dental health experts say that Wichita is one of the top
ten cities in America that does not use fluoridated water. These experts say Kansas as a whole receives a
grade C for children’s dental care. About 63% of the state of Kansas is using fluoridated water. The main
reason the grade is so low is because Wichita is bringing it down. Fluoridation of water is supported by the
World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Organization believes that water should be fluoridated
where it can be technically and politically feasible. Studies in Europe show that Ireland, (who does not use
fluoridated water) has a higher tooth decay rate than other countries like England and a few Nordic countries.
Naturally fluorinated water (about 1 part per million) has been available to people in their drinking water for
centuries and no health issue has been related to it.
Opposition to fluorination
There have been claims made for years that fluoridation of water has been a factor in every health issue known
to modern medicine. There are many groups of people that believe fluorination is truly a bad thing. These
people believe that cities have been poisoning the community for years. They believe that fluoridation can
cause birth defects, Alzheimer’s disease, and a higher cancer rate. These allegations against fluoridation do
not have much scientific background behind it. These groups of people claim that fluoridation of water is
detrimental to the health of the people that consume it. Although, scientists and health experts say recent
studies have shown there are no biological or chemical differences between fluoridated water and natural fresh
water.
Figure: 3.1 Percent of Population, by county served by Fluorinated
Public Water Supply. (Kansas Health Institute, 2011)
Figure: 3.2 Rates of Tooth Decay From 1930-1990 (Compiled
from Health Department records of 5-year-olds'
tooth decay 1930-1990, 1997)
Maps.com. 2010. "Kansas Average Annual Precipitation Map." Infographic. retrieved September 20, 2011. from <http://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?cid=680,692,762,1122&pid=11807>.
Mullen, Joe. 2005 "History of Water Fluoridation : Article : British Dental Journal." Nature Publishing Group : Science Journals, Jobs, and Information. Retrieved November 18, 2011. from <http://www.nature.com/bdj/journal/v199/n7s/full/4812863a.html>.
Oliver, John. 2004. Encyclopedia of World Climatology. Springer, 167.
Opie, John. 2000.Ogallala: Water for a Dry Land. Second. The University of Nebraska Press,
Seldon, Roberta. "Water Fluoridation Urged by National Dental Health Coalition Page 2 | ThirdAge." Baby Boomer Health, Aging & Retirement | Midlife Caregiving & Relationships | ThirdAge. November 18, 2011. Web. November 19, 2011.
<http://www.thirdage.com/news/water-fluoridation-urged-by-national-dental-health-coalition_11-16-2011?page=1>.
Solley, W. B., Pierce, R. R., and Perlman, H. A. 1993. Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1990. U. S. Geological Survey Circular 1081. Retrieved October 17, 2006, from <http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/wucircular2.html>
Stewart, Bobby, et all. 2003. Encyclopedia of Water Science. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc., 43-44.
United States Geological Survey. 2011. high Plains Regional Ground-Water Study. Retrieved October 17, 2011, From <http://co.water.usgs.gov/nawqa/hpgw/factsheets/DENNEHYFS1.html>.
United States Geological Suvery.2011. High Plains Regional Ground Water Study. Photograph. USGS
Outcome
Wichita is not likely to start fluoridation of water anytime soon. In 1964 Wichita city council decided to pass an
ordinance to start fluoridation of water, but the citizens voted to repeal it shortly afterwards. This was attempted
again in 1978 but was once again voted against by the voters in Wichita. In 1999 a health group tried to push
for fluoridation of water but health group coalition filed a list of complaints against fluoridation stating that it
would just cause a large amount of health issues for the city of Wichita. Wichita needs to find a way to appeal
to the objectors of fluoridation or find a way to keep the oral health of the city at a level equivalent to the rest of
America. Until then, the city of Wichita will continue to have bad oral health.
Figure: 3.3 Percent of Fluoridated Water by State (Center for
Disease Control, 2008)
19%
-38%
67%
-66%
-32%
-12%
-33%
-39%
8%