The Verdigris Basin covers
approximately 4,440 square miles and encompasses all or parts of
11 counties in southeastern Kansas. There were an estimated
103,000 residents in the basin in the year 2000, and the
population is expected to grow to nearly 146,000 by the year
2040. The major streams in the basin are the Verdigris, Elk,
Fall and the Caney and Little Caney Rivers, and Big Hill and
Caney Creeks. Elk and Fall Rivers and Big Hill Creek are
tributaries to the Verdigris in Kansas, while the Caneys join
the Verdigris in Oklahoma. There are four major reservoirs on
the river system: Toronto, Fall River, Elk City and Big Hill
lakes.
The annual precipitation in the
basin varies from approximately 34 inches in the west to almost
40 inches in the southeast corner. Approximately 70 percent of
this precipitation falls between April and September. Between
11 and 18 inches of snow falls in an average year. The average
temperature varies from 34 degrees in the winter to 79 degrees
in the summer.
Surface water use makes up 98
percent of the water used in the Basin. The majority of water
used in the basin (62.2%) is for municipal purposes. Industrial
use comes in second with 17.5 percent, recreation third with 12
percent and irrigation use with 7.5 percent (based on 1997 water
use data).
The local economy is based primarily
on agriculture with some light industrial activity. The major
crops grown in the basin are wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans.
In addition the production of beef cattle is an important part
of the agricultural economy. Another significant portion of the
economy is the production of oil and gas.
Significant water management entities in the basin include
conservation districts throughout the basin, the See-Kan
Resource Conservation and Development area and 12 watershed
districts. By virtue of its responsibility for the four major
reservoirs in the basin, the Corps of Engineers is another
important water management agency.
