News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards Water Conservation Grant

Media Contact: Judy O'Sullivan, (308) 389-5307, josullivan@gp.usbr.gov
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: January 26, 2006

Water 2025The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $230,720 Water 2025 grant to the state of Kansas for water conservation efforts in the Republican River Basin.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will install flow meter data logging equipment and remote monitoring equipment on about 100 diversions in the Republican River Basin. The real-time monitoring of the diversions will enhance administration of water rights, improve water management, and expand water marketing opportunities between senior and junior water rights holders. Irrigators in the basin have had to curtail diversions in five of the six previous water years. The total project will cost $495,698, with a Water 2025 grant contribution of $230,720.

Kansas is one of six western states awarded a total of about $1 million in grants to help fund water conservation/water management projects. Proposals had to include and/or address at least one of the following: water conservation management and planning studies, demonstration of innovative technologies for water management activities, or implementation of water conservation measures. To leverage the money and resources available, state grant recipients provide at least a 50 percent match of the Federal funds provided.

Reclamation's Great Plains Regional Director Mike Ryan said "All of the projects, including the one in Kansas, will make more efficient use of existing water supplies through cooperative partnerships with Reclamation."

Water 2025 Challenge Grants for Western States is a new program, introduced in 2005. It is similar to the regular Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program implemented in 2004 which is open to local government, municipal and private irrigation districts, water associations and tribal water authorities.

Additional information about the Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program for Western States is available at www.doi.gov/water2025.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Great Plains Home Page

Nebraska-Kansas Area Office Home Page