Solomon River Basin:Kansas Water Office

Solomon River Basin

The Solomon River drains an area of 6,835 square miles of the Great Plains Physiographic Province, within northwest and north central Kansas. The Solomon River basin covers all or parts of Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Jewel, Sherman, Thomas Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Lincoln, Ottawa, Dickinson and Saline counties. The topography is generally flat to gently rolling hills with narrow, shallow valleys of low relief. The Solomon River is part of the Kansas River system. The basin includes subbasins with hydrologic unit codes 10260011, 10260012, 10260013, 10260014 and 10260015.

Map SOL BAC Membership

*No.*	*Member Name*	Representative Category	Term Expires
1.	*Chair* - Ray DeBey, Cawker City, KS	Fish and Wildlife (CC)	6/30/2015
2.	*Vice Chair* - Orville Bluebaugh, Phillipsburg, KS	Recreation (CC)	6/30/2013
3.	William Elliot, Glade, KS	At Large Public (BSC)	6/30/2015
4.	Kendal Francis, Beloit, KS	Municipal PWS (CC)	6/30/2013
5.	Stanley Kats, Prairie View, KS	Dryland (BSC)	6/30/2015
6.	Joseph Keith, Penokee, KS	Industry/Commerce (CC)	6/30/2013
7.	Dennis Lehmann, Gaylord, KS	Conservation/Environment (CC)	6/30/2015
8.	James Metzler, Minneapolis, KS	At Large Public (CC)	6/30/2013
9.	Jay Carswell, Alton, KS	Agriculture (CC)	6/30/2015

u Solomon Basin Advisory Committee Membership Application

Information Sheet - Attending a KWA Meeting as a Representative of your BAC

Solomon BAC Member Update - Ray DeBey - Chairperson

Hi fellow Kansans! Thanks for your interest in water and especially in the Solomon River basin. My name is Ray DeBey. I’m from rural Cawker City and share your interest.

My interest stems from being raised in the Solomon basin north of Downs on Oak Creek, and being the son of a water well driller and farmer with some irrigated land.

I still live and farm near my roots in the Downs area. I’ve enjoyed the transition to the direct seeding method of farming and am an advocate of the practice as it reduces erosion and increases the productivity of our soils.

My interest in helping to see water used beneficially, and its quality and quantity respected in the process, has taken me to a position on the Solomon Basin Advisory Committee. I currently serve as committee chair.

We on the BAC are your voice in the policies proposed by the Kansas Water Authority and Kansas Water Office for action by the Kansas Legislature and Governor.

Some of the water opportunities we have are due to the reservoirs and the river systems in our basin. They can also provide some of our challenges.

Other challenges are the water levels of the Ogallala-High Plains aquifer in the western reaches of the valley along with, from time to time, water quality issues in the river system.

I would be happy to visit with anyone about water in the Solomon basin. Please call or write. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Please call (785) 545-7100, e-mail me at ray.debey@plantpioneer.com, or send a letter to 29011 EE Road, Cawker City KS 67430

Current Projects in the Basin

Ogallala-High Plains Aquifer Declines - The Solomon River basin is facing groundwater depletion due to pumping in the Ogallala-High Plains aquifer and alluvial aquifers. Streamflows, over time, are depleting. Groundwater models have been developed for the Upper North Fork and Upper South Fork of the Solomon River. The models reflect groundwater conditions and may be used to project the results of various management measures. Please see the report titled "Information on the Solomon River Groundwater Models - Development and Application", completed June 2009 for more information. The Kansas Department of Agriculture's Basin Team worked with local stakeholders in developing possible management scenarios. Goals are to manage the alluvial aquifer system and surface water for long-term sustainability and to conserve and extend the life of the Ogallala-High Plains aquifer.

Past Meetings & Meeting Materials

April 10, 2012 - SOL BAC Meeting, 6:00 pm, USD Building, 421 Main Street, Stockton, KS - Meeting Materials
January 25-26, 2012 - KWA, Topeka, KS
November 3-4, 2011 - KWA, Lawrence
September 13, 2011 - SOL BAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m., KDA-DWR Field Office, Stockton, KS - Meeting Materials
August 11-12, 2011 - KWA, Lyons
June 14, 2011 - Solomon BAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Stockton, KS - Meeting Materials
March 2, 2011 - Solomon BAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m., DWR Field Office, 820 S. Walnut, Stockton, KS - Meeting Materials

Questions? - Contact Susan.Stover@kwo.ks.gov - KWO Solomon Basin Planner

Upcoming Meetings & Materials

June 28, 2012, 8:30 a.m., SOL BAC Meeting, KDA/DWR Field Office, 820 South Walnut, Stockton, KS

Water News for the BAC Members

Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes 2010

Meeting Notes 2009

Meeting Notes 2008

Basin Related Links