tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63096351880817176852024-03-14T00:44:54.438-05:00Wisdom in Water, please...Trying to articulate water issues, provide discussion fodder, seek other ideas, broaden and educate a bit, and, and... well, solve the world's water problems.Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-6091194172648024952014-10-06T13:42:00.001-05:002014-10-06T13:42:54.792-05:00Angry Irish<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
Emerald Isle, with its damp climate, extensive greenery and abundant water
supply has truly never experienced a true water shortage, and has many local
thriving fish and wildlife habitats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
currently, people of the town of Boyle, in County Roscommon in the western part
of Ireland are having to boil their tap water due to the fact that it is
practically toxic to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water
supply has been contaminated by a new bacteria that the town’s out-of-date water
treatment plants cannot purify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
consequence to drinking the water, “You’re going to be violently sick for 24
hours-it’s as simple as that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
happened to me twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not a third
time” Sean O’Dowd was quoted saying as he and many others were photographed
stalking up on bottled water supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The contamination is caused by a severe downfall in the quality of local
water infrastructures, due mostly to the lack of investment on part of the local
government following the 2010 economic collapse of Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irish Water, the company chosen to take over
the once locally operated water system plans on spending over 2 billion Euros
or 2.5 billion US dollars to bring the waterworks up to safe standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This project is going to be supported by
issuing a never before seen water fee for all water usage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up until now water infrastructure and
management was funded from central and local government taxes, now households
will be responsible for paying for the water that they use in their homes and
businesses, a procedure we have long become accustomed to in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have a big problem in terms of our
infrastructure-it’s not at a state that’s fit to meet the needs of a modern
economy,” says Irish Water’s Elizabeth Arnett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin-top: 7.0pt;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1PR-FUCIBk/VDLieYeAWiI/AAAAAAAABB4/dLzIR4qvj_c/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1PR-FUCIBk/VDLieYeAWiI/AAAAAAAABB4/dLzIR4qvj_c/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-22756299069436841862014-08-13T15:25:00.001-05:002014-08-13T15:26:57.351-05:00Colorado Basin Disappearing From BelowThe Colorado River Basin is one of the most important sources of water for most of the Western United states. It provides water to 40 million Americans and over 4 million acres of farmland in seven western states. Quite alarmingly in the last few years, research has shown that groundwater is vanishing from the basin much quicker than ever expected. In the last 9 years the basin has lost approximately 65 cubic kilometers of fresh water. This quantity is nearly double the size of the nations largest reservoir, Lake Mead. Many were stunned when NASA weather satellites showed such a drastic decline in such a seemingly short period of time. More incredibly almost two thirds of the water lost, was groundwater. The information gap arises because of the fact that surface water residing in the Colorado River Basin is closely regulated and monitored by the US Bureau of Reclamation, while there are no interstate regulations on how the states monitor and measure groundwater levels. With consistent water table information from monitoring wells being readily unavailable, researchers are having a very hard time tracking the declines and identifying what in fact caused the sudden drop. Clearly this supply issue has a potential of impacting most of the western united states, and could be developmentally crippling to their rapidly growing cities.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o0EueWejLM/U-vJogDkOaI/AAAAAAAABBo/8biGOzWH164/s1600/Colorado-River_chun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_o0EueWejLM/U-vJogDkOaI/AAAAAAAABBo/8biGOzWH164/s1600/Colorado-River_chun.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-34942608723823970662014-05-14T10:18:00.001-05:002014-05-14T10:18:22.786-05:00California's Desperation <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Extreme
drought is an on-going problem throughout different areas of the United States,
including many parts of the Midwest all the way to California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last decade, California has seen a
huge shift from annual crops to nut trees</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
</span><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">such as almonds, pistachios etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The delicious perennials are extremely
lucrative but vast orchards that have been planted throughout the Central
Valley require decades-long investments, year-round watering and a commitment
from Mother Nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One farmer explained
his situation, "It's a huge economic loss," said Baker, who looked on
forlornly this past week as workers felled his beloved trees. "That's
probably $10 million in revenue I lost right there, but with the price of water
today, up to $2,500 per acre-foot, there is no way I could have found the water
this year. A lot of guys are going to have to make that decision in the next
couple of weeks."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California’s
switch from annual crops to nuts has been highly profitable in the past
bringing the State’s economy $7 billion in sales each year with almonds
producing the highest amount at $4.35 billion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today there are more than 800,000 acres of almonds in California
compared with the 418,000 acres in 1995.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Total production also doubled from 912 million pounds in 2006 to 1.88
billion pounds in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>California alone
produces 82% of the world’s almonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Drought has also put an enormous
strain on local farmers and ranchers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete
Craig who owns a large cattle ranch near Lake Berryessa said that the planting
of almond orchards took thousands of acres of grazing ground and has put stress
on the natural environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For decades,
ranchers from surrounding states have brought their livestock to California,
taking advantage of the mild winters and lush natural pastures which are prime
conditions for fattening beef cattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With such extreme drought and vast water shortages, ranchers in the
Golden State are actually moving their cattle out of the area, loading tens of
thousands of heifers and steers onto trucks and hauling them eastward to
Nevada, Texas, Nebraska and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If
there’s no water and no feed, you move the cows,” Gaylord Wright, 65, owner of
California Fats and Feeders Inc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
move them or they die.”</span></div>
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-55116132658303846842014-02-28T13:41:00.000-06:002014-02-28T13:41:03.996-06:00Water And Energy ProgressThe folks of the Sheridan 6 LEMA, were honored this week at the first annual Water and Energy Progress luncheon award ceremony that took place in Topeka on February 28th, 2014. Governor Sam Brownback presented the awards to the recipients and spoke highly of the conservation efforts that had been displayed by these individuals and families. Many thanks to the incredible staff of the Climate and Energy Project as well as all those involved in the Water and Energy Progress Steering Committee. The picture below shows Roch Meir from Hoxie Kansas, receiving an award on behalf of the entire Sheridan 6 LEMA of Sheridan County Kansas. His lovely wife Marilyn was also in attendance for this exciting event. Congratulations to all award recipients and lets keep up the good work, what a privilege it is to work with you!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AbuEy0W8z0E/UxDmFyt0IVI/AAAAAAAABA4/-YohAPMzh5o/s1600/IMG_2653+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AbuEy0W8z0E/UxDmFyt0IVI/AAAAAAAABA4/-YohAPMzh5o/s1600/IMG_2653+(2).jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-46502782001006693162014-02-06T15:57:00.000-06:002014-02-06T15:57:27.122-06:00They're Setting Up Hubs!This week the Obama Administration announced that they would be engaging in the creation of "Climate hubs" which will provide information to rural communities that are currently facing extreme weather conditions such as drought and flooding. The hubs will be sponsored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will provide scientific information for farmers, ranchers etc to tap into when facing the risks associated with climate change...<br />
<br />
"For generations, America's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners have innovated and adapted to challenges," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilasack said. However, he said, rural communities face more complex challenges today because of climate change. "USDA's Climate hubs are part of our board commitment to developing the next generation of climate solutions so that our agricultural leaders have the modern technologies and tools they need to adapt and succeed in the face of changing climate," Vilsack said. <br />
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The Hubs will be in Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon and New Mexico. Additional "sub-hubs" will be set up in various other states, including Michigan and California. I am curious as to the roles that these hubs will play, reports have indicated that they will be working with state and local governments before making their "suggested adaptions." Not sure about this one folks. Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-41084687230226730182014-01-08T15:58:00.002-06:002014-01-08T15:59:26.230-06:00It's Freezing...Even in South GeorgiaPolar Vortex: "Is a persistent, large-scale cyclone located near either of a planet's geographical poles. On Earth, the polar vortices are located in the middle and upper troposphere and the stratosphere. They surround the polar highs and lie in the wake of the polar front. These cold-core low-pressure areas strengthen in the winter and weaken in the summer due to their reliance upon the temperature differential between the equator and the poles. They usually span less than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in which the air is circulating in a counter-clockwise fashion (in the northern hemisphere)."<br />
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Much of the United States has been experiencing extremely cold temperatures this past week and it has caused quite an alarming media response. For a nation founded with covered wagons and pioneering survival tactics, we sure have lost our touch through the years when it comes to withstanding the cold. This is an argument I have heard several times over the last few weeks but to be fair, these temperatures have also not been seen in decades if ever in history. In the city of Chicago, a record low temperature of -11 Degrees F had existed until the bone chilling -16 Degrees F hit the metropolis with an added wind chill that took Chicago down to -34 Degrees F. This Polar Vortex has forced even residents in south Georgia to learn what its like to have frozen pipes in their homes and businesses. There also have been several instances where fire emergency systems have frozen over or have been broken due to pipes bursting, causing a security hazard for many large functioning agricultural and industrial facilities. Between the current freeze, and the South Dakota blizzard in 2013, mother nature is sure reminding us how powerful frozen moisture can be.<br />
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<br />Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-19935305965941336632013-12-23T16:25:00.001-06:002013-12-23T16:26:28.835-06:00Water Water Everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Far above our heads, there are currently astronauts working away in attempt to repair the International Space System's cooling station . Currently the space station in operating on only one cooling system which would leave the astronauts vulnerable to being left without a working system should the current cooling unit fail. After a seemingly successful mission on Saturday, astronaut Rick Mastracchio discovered something interesting in his spacesuit, water had gathered in his suit's sublimator which is a device that's designed to dissipate excess heat. Usually the suits have water based systems in them that remove moisture, and cool the astronauts. But it is unusual for the water to accumulate. The spacewalk on Saturday consisted of a 5 hour and 28 minute mission removing a faulty coolant pump module, this mission will continue tomorrow December 24th and no further issues are expected to arise. This unfortunately is not the first time that water has been a problem is space. In July an astronaut's suit malfunctioned causing him to nearly drown inside his suit. NASA officials have declared that the two problems are not related and they believe the suits to now have a "clean bill of health" although they have added makeshift snorkels and absorbent pads to the suits as a precaution. Water water everywhere, even up there.<br />
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<br />Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-58795737124517532512013-12-06T13:06:00.002-06:002013-12-06T13:43:12.745-06:00LEMA Awards presented by 'Water +Energy Progress'<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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With a busy year coming to a close for Groundwater
Management District No. 4, so does an equally busy year for the producers of
the Sheridan-6 LEMA. As many of you may know, a LEMA, or Locally Enhanced Management Area is crafted on the
community level, giving producers and community members an opportunity to
discuss ways in which they may hope to extend the life of the Ogallala Aquifer
by reducing their water usage over a set period of time. For the
Sheridan-6 LEMA, this time period consisted of 5 years and an approximate 20%
water reduction. Many years of hard work and dedication went into this
LEMA, from the initial idea, to working with both the Kansas Legislature and
local Ag producers, and finally to the implementation of the first LEMA in the
Sheridan-6 High Priority Area. GMD4’s now retired Manager Wayne Bossert,
Assistant Manager Ray Luhman, and countless others, contributed so very much in
to making this incredible dream a reality. The kind people at the Water +
Energy Progress organization, which is in association with CEP(the Climate and
Energy Project) have decided to honor the efforts of these SD-6 Producers by
featuring their efforts on the organization’s website in an extensive article
featuring two of the producers from the SD-6 LEMA. Recognizing such a
forward thinking tool, which has so successfully brought people together to
discuss future water concerns and hopes is truly Inspiring. I encourage
anyone to visit the link below in order to read further information provided by
the Water+ Energy Progress organization. The appreciation of this
recognition is, I am sure very great by many. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="http://www.waterandenergyprogress.org/case_studies.php?id=9">http://www.waterandenergyprogress.org/case_studies.php?id=9</a></span>Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-65092077567911959932013-11-27T13:27:00.002-06:002013-11-27T13:28:25.528-06:00It's Not Just Happening to Us...Several years of dry winters and unusually hot summers have left Canada's subarctic regions in serious trouble, causing severe and worrisome desiccation of the regions' lakes. After the exclusive study of 70 lakes near Old Crow, Yukon and Churchill, Manitoba it became apparent that most of the lakes had become less than a meter deep, with dead vegetation banking the shores. The problem comes primarily from a decline in "melt-water" that usually supplies the lakes. For example, from 2010 to 2012 the average winter precipitation in Churchill decreased by 76mm when compared to the average that had been recorded between the years 1971 and 2000. "With this type of lake, precipitation in the form of snow represents 30% to 50% of the annual water supply," explained the study's lead author, Frederic Bouchard. Clearly, a lack on snow fall will rapidly and drastically affect the water levels and viability of the lakes. With several ecological and environmental concerns buzzing through the air researchers have become increasingly concerned, in addition to the realization that this decline has not been seen in the 200 years of its observation. So folks, back here in the USA we surely are not the only ones feeling the pressure and concern associated with water resources and conservation. Just one of the many issues concerning water around the globe.<br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-51620500135518592842013-11-18T13:53:00.001-06:002013-11-18T13:53:47.502-06:00Reduced Ethanol?? On November 15th 2013 <i>USA Today </i>came out with an article explaining the changes in recent Ethanol use regulations and how this once championed bio-fuel law of 2007 has not been working as had once been expected. In fact for the first time, officials are planning to reduce the amount of ethanol in the US's fuel supply. At the beginning, the law had hoped to address climate change concerns while encouraging homegrown bio-fuels that would burn cleaner than gasoline. The ethanol cut back, would require approximately 3 billion gallons less ethanol to be used. The variable that had not been considered during the initial bio-fuel discussions, was the possibility for such fuel economy improvements as what has taken place over the last several years. "Bio-fuels are a key part of the Obama administration's 'all the above' energy strategy, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, cut carbon pollution and create job," stated EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. This proposed ethanol reduction could bring some flack, when reflecting on statements of the past. In addition the ethanol mandate has caused quite a stir amongst both oil companies and environmental groups. As the market continues to fluctuate and technology undoubtedly progresses, what will be the future of bio-fuel vehicle use? <br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-42392310852617323652013-11-15T07:23:00.001-06:002013-11-15T07:24:33.870-06:00Governor's Conference Calls for Change<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The second annual Governor’s
Conference; The Future of Water in Kansas took place in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manhattan Kansas at the end of October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Conference drew over 500 participants
from across the state including several state officials and agricultural
producers as well as numerous vendors and exhibitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conference itself centered around water
usage in the state of Kansas, and what we may be able to expect in coming
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three main speakers took the
stage including author Charles Fishman, who has written books such as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Wal-Mart Effect”</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Big Thirst.”</i> In addition, The
Southern Nevada Water Authority ‘s Director Pat Mulroy, was also in attendance
discussing the severe water shortages Nevada has experienced in recent years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also touched on the ways in which the
authority has dealt with and solved resource issues such as municipal water
supply security, and implemented water use reduction policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final speaker was Dr. James Stack, who is
currently serving as the Director of The Great Plains Diagnostic Network while
continuing his work as a Professor for Kansas State University in Plant
Pathology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Stack is responsible for coordinating
a 9-state project, enhancing the rapid detection and diagnosis of high
consequence plant pathogens and pests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All three speakers provided tremendous insight on relevant water issues.
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two day conference also included several breakout
sessions, providing wonderful opportunities for individuals from across the
state to update one another on current events happening in different
regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A topic which was touched on
several times throughout the conference was the concept of Local Enhanced
Management or the LEMA law, and how this tool could now be used in the effort
of prolonging the life of the Ogallala Aquifer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Throughout the presentations, breakout sessions and guest lectures, one
thing became even more apparent to the audience, that the State of Kansas as a
whole has only become increasingly concerned with the future of the state’s
water resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the Governor’s
opening speech on Thursday morning, he called for the development of a 50 year
water plan for Kansas to be completed by November 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this plan, he hopes to see several ways in
which each region of the state will address future water resource concerns and
present issues, as well as to set goals indicating what the state of Kansas
would like to see for their future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
such a great task at hand the Kansas Water Office indicated that they would
immediately begin working with several state agencies and focus committees as
well as the state’s five Groundwater Management Districts in order to
accomplish this undertaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all, the
2013 Governor’s Conference provided an incredible opportunity for ideas and research
to be shared, making it clearer than ever that this precious water resource
will remain to be one of the most important issues of our lifetime.</span></div>
Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-85636480372535181142013-10-24T07:30:00.000-05:002013-10-24T07:30:00.628-05:00NYC's Underground Undertaking On October 16th the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg announced the opening of the Manhattan section of a water tunnel project that began in 1950 but didn't get under way till 1970. The $4.7 billion dollar project has already claimed the lives of 24 people during its construction so far. Once the massive construction is finally complete, the tunnel will stretch more than 60 miles bringing water to Brooklyn and Queens from reservoirs located north of New York City. The tunnel will both serve as a backup for the primary water tunnel used in the area and will give city workers and engineers an opportunity to inspect and repair the old tunnel for the first time in almost 100 years. In order to finance this project, the city Water Board has initiated years of rate hikes, and bills are projected to continue increasing 7.5% a year for the next three years. Definitely quite the underground undertaking here if you ask me.<br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-62878008154462527592013-10-21T09:24:00.002-05:002013-10-21T09:25:13.971-05:00Stretching the Colorado RiverYou can only stretch a river so far, and The Colorado river which serves as a water source to seven states including parts of Mexico, has possibly reached its temporary breaking point. The Colorado River is responsible for filling both Lake Mead and Lake Powell. In response to the recently released report from the Bureau of Reclamation's anticipated 24 month study, the agency is looking to cut water realeased from Lake Powell's Glen Canyon Dam by a staggering 750,000 acre feet which averages out to serving approximately 1.5 million homes. It is the first time in in the history of that dam that water heading downstream will be cut. This shortage has raised concern for municipalities, agricultural communities as well as environmentalist groups concerned for the fish and wildlife habbitats that will be directly affected.<br />
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Currently, Las Vegas Nevada has 2 'straws' in Lake Mead, which is approximately 300 miles from Lake Powell, in order to provide enough water for the city's ever growing urban population. At this time officials are already having to consider drawing from deeper in the reservoir to avoid price hikes and shortages on water for surrounding municipalities. Brad Udall from the University of Colorado's Law School, explains how, "Something very, very unusual is going on." With the combination of a staggering drought and increased demands, an incredible 8.23 million acre feet of water is supposed to reach Lake Mead and Powell each year in order to serve Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico. "Basically, Mead has lost the equivalent of one entire year's worth of flow." Udall explained, "It's missing 8 million acre feet of water." In addition to this frightening statistic, Lake Powell is also missing a years worth of water, an estimated 15 million acre feet. So, while the drought rages on, many states in the west will spend the winter praying for heavy wet snow and rain to hopefully buffer this rather remarkable shortage. Time to rapidly preform a dozen snow dances, no time to waste here folks. <br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-87109607649935252182013-10-14T15:21:00.000-05:002013-10-14T15:22:02.781-05:00Water in its Colder Form.....As we know, water has not only many forms and uses, but impacts as well. In South Dakota ranchers are slowly discovering more damage caused by the horrific blizzard that has left more than 75,000 livestock dead. With up to 4 feet of snow in some areas, falling rapidly last weekend. Many cattle found themselves trapped and eventually killed. In many cases, the animals had begun to move south, or migrate towards small inlets or valleys in the land. But, with the speed of the storm many were trapped by fences or in mud and deep snow. Rancher Heath Ferguson, told USA Today, that 96 percent of his black Angus and Limousin herd was killed in the storm, totaling an estimated loss of $250,000 or roughly $1,000 a head. Surrounding counties have opened mass pits for carcass disposal, but emotions are high as ranchers are literally forced to bury their livelihood. <br />
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Many state agencies are urging ranchers to document all animal losses with pictures and hauling receipts in case disaster payments are available in the future. On the political side many county agencies are becoming forced to intervene since the US Farm Service Agency is currently closed because of the recent Government shut down. At the same time, the Stockgrowers Association, South Dakota Cattleman's Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association are seeking donations for a relief fund that has been set up to help these communities. We can only hope in time, these hard working ranchers can rebound from this terrible loss. Just another terrifying reminder of mother natures power and strength.<br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-22818376803947665562013-10-08T16:51:00.000-05:002013-10-08T16:52:56.158-05:00The Nile Not in Egypt?While water issues in the US will quite certainly continue to heighten in severity over the next 50 years, one must take a moment to turn their attention to a very significant issue happening overseas between Ethiopia and Egypt. "Ethiopia is Killing us," stated taxi driver Ahmed Hossam of Cairo, "If they build this dam, there will be no Nile. If there's no Nile, then there's no Egypt."<br />
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This man is referring to the proposed project known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which would re-adjust water-sharing arrangements with Ethiopia's surrounding countries. The current arrangements have been in place since 1959 and allocate three-fourths of the Nile waters to Egypt. Its proposed length would be approximately 1.1 miles long, and could cost upwards of $4.7 billion dollars. Many Ethiopians are viewing this as an immense source of national pride and a symbol of how the country has rebounded from the debilitating famines of the 1980's and 90's.<br />
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As maybe expected, this controversy has caused quite an out poor of concern from many different groups of surrounding and upstream countries. So far there have been reports of various physical assaults, as well as other violent or provoking acts in protest. Only time will tell how the world will react to this project, but currently, the World Bank is sticking to their decision to not fund the Renaissance Dam. The whole deal leaves several questions, and an uncertainty for many areas and surrounding countries who will be directly affected. With an estimated population forecast of 150 million by 2050, almost doubling Egypt's current population, these tense dynamics are assured to remain. <br />
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<br />Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-1577959341842453762013-09-23T14:02:00.001-05:002013-09-23T14:05:54.521-05:00Aquifers Found In KenyaThe Sahara, Kalahari and Namib, are three of the largest deserts in Africa, with the Namib Desert spanning an incredible 31,274 square miles of Southern Africa. In recent news, satellite and advanced radar technology has detected two large aquifers throughout the Turkana and Lotikipi basins and another in Namibia, which is Sub-Saharan Africa's driest country. In the Turkana region of Kenya, many areas have been hit extremely hard in recent years by drought, and have suffered economically due to the high population of nomadic herders, who depend on natural precipitation. Once test drilling began, it was discovered that the aquifers were thought to contain up to 250bn cubic meters of water. <br />
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Ms. Wakhungu, at a meeting of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, was quoted saying, "This newly found wealth of water opens a door to a more prosperous future for the people of Turkana and the nation as a whole. We must now work to further explore these resources responsibly and safeguard them for future generations." With debate rising as to the future of this water, many have begun to urge the government to engage in dialogues with local communities. "We need to put in place a sound management system" stated Abou Amani, UNESCO's Africa Hydrologist. The issue raised will now be deciding how this abundance of water will be managed, distributed and saved for future uses; whether they be industrial, agricultural or municipal. "It is critical for governments to realize they don't...come up with programs without community ownership...and linking it to economic development." Currently 17 million people of Kenya's 41 million total population, lack the ability to access safe water. So the question presented, is not only how, but by whom Kenya will establish methods of managing such a quantity of water, found so suddenly. This is certainly to be an extraordinary task with many facets to be considered along the way, as the plan is further developed. Such an amazing find, with such incredibly possibilities for this region and all of Kenya. <br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-6456774824082714552013-09-18T10:18:00.002-05:002013-09-19T09:16:32.217-05:00The South Platte River; Affected by Neighboring Flooding In the last week, parts of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska are experiencing the affects of heavy, long term rain fall and river flooding. Many Colorado communities have experienced neighborhood evacuations and extensive damage to residential and agricultural areas. So far, throughout the state's affected areas, spanning from the foothills resting town of Boulder CO all the way East to Greeley and as far North as Laporte CO, there have been 8 confirmed casualties from the flooding as well as a reported 658 people missing state wide. As in the west, canyons have been flooded and roadways destroyed, Nebraska's South Platte River is expecting to feel a bit of the impact as the National Weather Service has predicted that possible flooding of the South Platte River will begin Wednesday and likely continue for several days. although the affected area is doubted to reach many residential areas, agricultural areas are thought to be possibly affected. National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Taylor indicated that it is difficult to estimate the degree of flooding possible along the South Platte, because of the several gauges that have been damaged by debris, upstream of Nebraska.<br />
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He went on to explain that water levels could reach record highs in areas that run along the South Platte River and Interstate 76. Towns such as North Platte and sections of Lincoln County are preparing as the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross send teams to Ogallala to prepare shelters if necessary. With North Platte resting only a skip and a jump from the Kansas border, it leaves many wondering if Northwest Kansas will see any impact of this flooding. Once again, mother nature has chosen to remind us of her mighty powers, and we feel deeply for our neighboring agricultural communities and residential areas that have been affected.<br />
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Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-54392862944550790092013-09-10T10:09:00.001-05:002013-09-10T10:09:25.355-05:00Republican River Compact Meeting in Colby<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnYF70iKScI/Ui81U0JyFDI/AAAAAAAAA5c/W5xN5y3f7Rg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnYF70iKScI/Ui81U0JyFDI/AAAAAAAAA5c/W5xN5y3f7Rg/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Republican River Compact Administration (RRCA) will hold it's Annual Meeting in Colby, Kansas tomorrow and Thursday. Tomorrow's meeting will be for the technical committees from each state. The agenda is: <br />
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1. Welcome and introductions<br />2. WaterSmart Basin Study update and discussion<br />3. Status of annual reports and transcripts<br />4. Meaning of Colorado’s water-short year requirement<br />5. Harlan County Lake evaporation accounting for Compact year 2013<br />6. Monitoring of non-federal reservoirs in Kansas<br />7. Engineering Committee report<br /> a. Active Items<br /> i. Data exchange status<br /> ii. Ground and surface water irrigation recharge and return flows<br /> iii. Principia Mathematica contract<br /> iv. Nebraska proposal for relocation of Guide Rock stream gage and accounting procedure<br /> v. Adoption of revised area-capacity tables for Bonny Reservoir<br /> vi. Applied PRISM procedure for missing precipitation data for 2008-2010<br /> vii. Finalizing accounting data for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011<br /> viii. Issues preventing agreement on final accounting for 2006-2011<br /> b. Items tabled for future<br /> i. User Manual<br /> ii. 5 year accounting spreadsheet<br />8. Review and finalize agenda for RRCA annual meeting<br />
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This meeting will be in our (GMD 4) new office facilities at 1290 W 4th - beginning at 2:00 PM CST.<br />
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The formal annual meeting of the RRCA will be held Thursday in the Colby Community Center, 285 E 5th Street, beginning at 9:00 AM. This agenda is:<br />
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1. Introductions<br />2. Adoption of the Agenda<br />3. Status of Report and Transcripts for 2012 Annual Meeting and subsequent Special Meetings<br />4. Status of Previous Annual and Special Meetings Reports and Transcripts<br />5. Report of Chairman and Commissioners’ Reports<br /> a. Kansas<br /> b. Colorado<br /> c. Nebraska<br />6. Federal Reports<br /> a. Bureau of Reclamation<br /> b. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers<br /> c. U.S. Geological Survey<br />7. Committee Reports<br /> a. Engineering Committee<br /> i. Assignments from 2012 Annual Meeting<br /> ii. Committee Recommendations to RRCA<br /> iii. Recommended assignments for Engineering Committee<br />8. Old Business<br /> a. Status of unapproved previous accounting<br />9. New Business and Assignments to Compact Committees<br /> a. Issues raised by the States<br /> i. Nebraska<br /> 1. Article IX of the Compact<br /> 2. Harlan County Lake evaporation accounting for Compact year 2013<br /> 3. Monitoring of non-federal reservoirs<br /> ii. Kansas<br /> 1. Beaver Creek allocations during Water Short Years<br /> iii. Colorado<br /> b. Action on Engineering Committee Report and assignments<br /> c. Resolution honoring Scott Ross<br />10. Remarks from the Public<br />11. Future Meeting Arrangements<br />12. Adjournment<br />
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These should be interesting meetings and I'm looking forward to attending both. More later. <br />
<br />Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-15697787845792307712013-09-07T07:30:00.000-05:002013-09-07T07:30:00.903-05:00Another Abandoned Well StoryWinter sledding in 2009 at their grandparents house in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho turned frightful for 5 year old Mason and his 7 year old sister Maya when their last run of the day found them crashing and tumbling off the sled right into a 2 foot by 2 foot concrete opening for a well on the property. The unknown well was located at the very bottom of the hill in a patch of weeds, was not covered and was nearly filled with icy water. Maya was able to get out, but brother Mason could not. He went under several times as Maya worked to extricate him. Exasperated, she wedged the sled into the hard packed snow and dropped the rope into the well telling Mason to hold on as she went for help. Running up the hill screaming "Mason is drowning!", she soon caught the attention of granddad Mike. The race back down the hill was won that day and Mason was pulled out unhurt, though a little rattled. There is no doubt about it - Maya saved the life of her brother by her quick thinking and hard-charging run up the hill.<br />
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Once again we see the potential danger of abandoned, improperly maintained wells. I cannot overstate how important it is to bring these dangers to the attention of the proper authorities - starting with the landowner and then upward if not taken care of immediately.<br />
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The plugging of abandoned wells might be a great program for groundwater districts or other civic groups interested. GMD 4 has already inventoried our district area and caused the plugging of just over 2,000 abandoned wells that were located. Not only are these wells a danger to life and limb, but they can also be conduits for surface contamination of the groundwater. Something to consider, anyway. For the rest of our abandoned well stories, click on the "wells and accidents" tag below.Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-28014164920120582632013-09-04T07:30:00.000-05:002013-09-04T07:30:04.439-05:00Federal Dilemma DiscoveredWater rights in any state are usually complicated, but in Kansas they can be especially so. Over the past 7 or 8 years Kansas has been working with the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on implementing a pretty savvy EQIP offering. For the most part, we have worked and played well together, and the EQIP program that has resulted has been useful and used.<br />
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Basically, EQIP is incenting producers to set aside irrigated ground for non-irrigated production in order to achieve a water quantity resource goal set by NRCS at the recommendation of the Kansas Technical Committee. The EQIP contract requires the water right to be set aside and not used for the contract period plus one "maintenance" year. Moreover, the water from that water right cannot be used on any other land. All this sounded pretty reasonable as the effort was being wordsmithed, as all Kansans were thinking water rights. <br />
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However, we have just now reached one of those "humps in the road" with a program interpretation that, if not re-interpreted by NRCS, is going to be problematic. NRCS has told program enrollees that the well itself cannot supply water for any other use during the contract period. They have apparently linked the well to the water right in a black and white fashion. They have obviously been thinking "water" when we were thinking "water rights". <br />
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The problem is that in Kansas multiple water rights can be, and often are, associated with a single well. Even when an irrigation water right is forfeited, dismissed, sold or otherwise eliminated, nothing precludes the use of that well for domestic purposes, or any other water right or term permit that is associated with the well. Each of these would have a different priority date, water right file number and use type, so using them would insure that no water from the contracted irrigation water right would be used. <br />
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What the current NRCS interpretation is actually doing, is preventing Kansas citizens from accessing any of their other valid water rights that may be associated with the subject well - including domestic uses - and we think this would be in violation of Kansas water law. <br />
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I don't think this was the NRCS intent, and I'm holding out that they will listen to our concerns and eventually agree with us because they understand Kansas Water Rights better as a result of our discussions. It'll end up being just a minor misunderstanding. But, if they refuse, one will have to wonder if this is not another federal incursion into state's water rights - by design. More information later.Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-46273206052349066552013-08-29T13:55:00.000-05:002013-09-08T12:40:26.641-05:00KSU High Plains Aquifer Study Hits a Nerve?David Steward, Paul Bruss, Xiaoying Yang, Scott Staggenborg, Stephen Welch and Michael Apley just released a special study report on the productivity of the High Plains Aquifer in Kansas over the next 100 years, or to the year 2110. Their Executive Summary says: <br />
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<i>"Groundwater provides a reliable tap to sustain agricultural production, yet persistent aquifer depletion threatens future sustainability. The High Plains Aquifer supplies 30% of the nation’s irrigated groundwater, and the Kansas portion supports the congressional district with the highest market value for agriculture in the nation. We project groundwater declines to assess when the study area might run out of water, and comprehensively forecast the impacts of reduced pumping on corn and cattle production. So far, 30% of the groundwater has been pumped and another 39% will be depleted over the next 50 y given existing trends. Recharge supplies 15% of current pumping and would take an average of 500–1,300 y to completely refill a depleted aquifer. Significant declines in the region’s pumping rates will occur over the next 15–20 y given current trends, yet irrigated agricultural production might increase through 2040 because of projected increases in water use efficiencies in corn production. Water use reductions of 20% today would cut agricultural production to the levels of 15–20 y ago, the time of peak agricultural production would extend to the 2070s, and production beyond 2070 would significantly exceed that projected without reduced pumping... Findings substantiate that saving more water today would result in increased net production due to projected future increases in crop water use efficiencies." </i><br />
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This 4-year study can be found within the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/08/14/1220351110">National Academy of Sciences</a> website, and was financially supported by the National Science Foundation, USDA Agricultural Research Service and US Department of Transportation through the Kansas State University Transportation Center. It has made quite a splash. Within just a few days we have been contacted by National Public Radio (Washington, DC), the Kansas City Star (Kansas City), Matter Magazine (California?) the Farm Futures Magazine (Chicago) and several of our GMD members - and we're not even specifically mentioned in the study, although the SD-6 LEMA is. <br />
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Anyway, the interesting thing about this study is its conclusion that local folks can make significant economic impacts by taking positive steps now to reduce current water use which will make the same water available later when production and returns are considerably higher. Any thoughts? Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-61466643561549494802013-08-13T07:30:00.000-05:002013-08-17T14:04:08.098-05:00Colorado State University - AWCCI first heard of the <a href="http://agwaterconservation.colostate.edu/">Ag Water Conservation Clearinghouse</a> (AWCC) website about 6-7 years ago - just as the pundits at Colorado State University were still conceiving its platform and ultimate function. They had lofty goals then when they announced they'd like to eventually capture and make available all the irrigation literature in the midwest that dealt with irrigation water use conservation and efficient use. I had some idea of the amount of material that was being generated on these topics by Kansas State University alone, so their goal I saw quickly would be quite enormous.<br />
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I see today, as I visited the site again, that they have expanded their focus worldwide - now encompassing many different climate regions, technologies, political and legal systems, etc., etc. Impressive!<br />
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One thing I noticed on their website was the following, completely unqualified, comment on Ag Water Conservation:<br />
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<b><i>What is Ag Water Conservation?
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<ul>
<li><b><i>Increased crop water use efficiency </i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Improved irrigation application efficiency </i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Increased capture and utilization of precipitation </i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Decreased crop consumptive use </i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Increased irrigation water diversion and delivery efficiencies </i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Reduced water use through adoption of conservation measures and new technologies for water management</i></b></li>
</ul>
Without any explanation or point of reference on this list, I immediately started running it through my definitions, and quite frankly, not many of them were matching well with my list. Until I came to "Decreased crop consumptive use", that is. I don't know if the authors of this list meant for the answer to be <b><i>"any of these" or "all of these"</i></b><i>, </i>but if I get to vote, I'm voting that all of them<b><i> </i></b>need to occur before you get any real ag water conservation.<b><i> </i></b><br />
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Anyway, I'll check back in on the site a while later. Maybe there'll be more information as to this listing. And I wish them all the luck in the world in capturing the universe of ag water conservation materials. Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-14976078472936941892013-08-09T07:30:00.000-05:002013-08-09T07:30:00.081-05:001885 Water Rules in Kansas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The August 13, 1885 edition of the Thomas County Cat (Colby’s
first newspaper) contained a listing of Rules imposed by the Kansas State Board
of Health – directing every county and Municipal Board of Health in the state to
see that they are strictly enforced in their respective jurisdictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rule 1 is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“No privy vault, cesspool or reservoir
into which a privy, water closet, stable or sink Is drained, except it be
water-tight, shall be established or permitted within fifty feet of any well,
spring or other source of water used for drinking or culinary purposes.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next six rules also deal with protection
of drinking water, which I thought was pretty interesting.</div>
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I also found the later rules for disinfection pretty cool as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, Rule 19: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
room into which a person sick with small-pox, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>varioloid, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>scarlet fever, or diphtheria Is placed, must
previously be cleared of all carpets, needless clothing, drapery and all other
articles likely to harbor the disease. After the death or recovery of the sick,
the room, furniture and other contents not to be destroyed must be immediately
thoroughly disinfected. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paper on the
walls and ceilings, if any, must be removed and completely burned. The floor, woodwork
and wooden furniture must be painted over with a solution of corrosive sublimate
made by dissolving one ounce of corrosive in six gallons of water; let it remain
one hour, and wash off with clean water. The walls, if not papered, must be
thoroughly scrubbed and whitewashed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the sick room, small pieces of rags should be substituted for handkerchiefs,
and when once used must be immediately burned.</i>“</div>
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And Rule 22:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fumigation with brimstone is a good method
for disinfecting the house. For this purpose the rooms to be disinfected must be
vacated. Heavy clothing, blankets, bedding and other articles which cannot be treated
with zinc solution, must be opened and exposed during fumigation. To disinfect
an ordinary room with brimstone: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having tightly
closed all the openings of the room, place in an open earthen dish one pound of
brimstone, and burn for twelve hours, being careful not to breathe the fumes.
After fumigation, the rooms must be thoroughly aired by opening the doors and
windows for several hours.”</i></div>
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And finally Rule 23:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“All articles which have been in contact
with persons sick with contagious or infectious diseases, too valuable to be destroyed,
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>should be treated as follows: (a) Cotton,
linen, flannel, blankets, etc., should be put in boiling hot zinc solution, introducing
piece by piece; secure through wetting, and boil for at least one hour. (b)
Heavy woolen clothing, silks, furs, stuffed bed covers, beds and other articles
which cannot be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>treated with the zinc
solution, should be hung In the room during fumigation, their surfaces
thoroughly exposed and pockets being turned inside out. Afterward they should
be hung in the open air, beaten and shaken. Pillows, bed, stuffed mattresses, upholstered
furniture, etc., should be cut open, the contents spread out and thoroughly fumigated.
Carpets are best fumigated on the floor, but must afterward be removed to the
open air and thoroughly beaten."</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Seems like the Board of Health was pretty
serious about halting the dreaded diseases of the era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Kudos to anyone who knew what “varioloid”
means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t, but looked it up –
initially thinking it was some contagious form of varicose veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nah, I didn’t really think that, but I didn’t
know what it really was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who
don’t have the time to look it up, it’s a mild form of smallpox affecting
people who have already had the disease or have been vaccinated against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, be sure to use it in a sentence at least
once a day for the next three days!</span>Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-57519756117246374822013-08-06T07:30:00.000-05:002013-08-06T07:37:30.508-05:00Water + Energy - Kansas Style<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSMEPYZmts4/Uf-q4A58ADI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/6C3IEdZ_d70/s1600/CEP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSMEPYZmts4/Uf-q4A58ADI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/6C3IEdZ_d70/s200/CEP.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is little doubt that water and energy are related - especially here in western Kansas where so much energy is used to pump groundwater. That's one of the main reasons I was so pleased to participate on the nomination committee within the Climate + Energy Project (CEP) to seek out innovative water and energy activities. I've blogged about this group before - <a href="http://nwksgmd4.blogspot.com/2012/12/climate-energy-project.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As a result of all this work, the CEP has been planning a website to showcase the selected activities following a nomination and selection process, and field interviews with the principals. The CEP has just announced that their website, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://waterandenergyprogress.org/">WaterAndEnergyProgress.org</a>, is now up and running. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You'll have to be patient, though, as the CEP is going to unveil the selected activities one at a time - one each month. I won't tell you what the selected innovations are, but they are wide-ranging in nature, and involve conservation approaches that should be achievable by most producers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">According to project manager Rachel Myslivy, <u>"The stories will contain links </u></span><u><i><b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">to research, funding
opportunities, and supporting organizations. Digital farm tours, podcasts, and
written materials will be used to tell the story of each successful innovation.
You can look forward to guest bloggers, event announcements, spotlights on
research and all sorts of great information about innovations in agriculture."</span></b></i></u><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The hope is to tell about and spur discussion and further conversation about the innovative activities in such a way that will encourage and bring about collaborative research, a strengthing of personal networks, and a continuation of innovative thinking across Kansas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">That's a tall order, but an important one, none-the-less.</span>Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6309635188081717685.post-22960124847091681872013-08-03T07:30:00.000-05:002013-08-03T12:19:33.717-05:00Wallace County Sinkhole<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yciUFHEV7YE/UfyDwnOD0dI/AAAAAAAAA4A/ckVAui1FGtM/s1600/WA-sinkhole(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yciUFHEV7YE/UfyDwnOD0dI/AAAAAAAAA4A/ckVAui1FGtM/s200/WA-sinkhole(2).jpg" width="150" /></a>WOW! a new sinkhole just opened up in Wallace County Kansas - just a dozen miles or so south of our southern GMD border. The picture here is of this new feature. It was a catastrophic collapse estimated at 200-250 feet wide and 80-90 feet deep. There is no water in the bottom and the exposed dirt all appears dry and friable.<br />
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There are no oil and gas wells or high capacity water wells in the vicinity, so many are wondering what the heck happened. I was in a meeting in Garden City, KS when the news broke, and just so happens the director of the Kansas Geological Survey, Rex Buchanan, was in attendance as well. During the break, Rex showed me the pictures he had been emailed by the Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment, who was asking for some explanation of this not-so-common event. Rex explained that the most accepted explanation was the slow dissolution of carbonate minerals (mainly chalk) from the underlying Niobrara Formation. Eventually the dissolution cavity collapses. Rex continued by saying it's not the first time this has happened in Wallace County as there are at least two named sinks in the County that were formed in the early 1900's - <b>Old Maid's Pool, </b>and the<b> S</b><b>moky Basin Cave-in</b> which happened on March 9, 1926.<br />
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Anyway, this is an interesting development for sure. What cracked me up is the TV news report I saw on the evening news when I returned home. The reporter, on camera, was making the point that there were large, concentric fissures in the ground surrounding the sinkhole and that these chunks of ground could at any moment slough off into the sinkhole as it expands. The thing was, he was standing INSIDE the first and largest fissure as he was making these points! Not 15 feet from the current rim. I hope there's not a new reporter on the beat tomorrow! <br />
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So, while groundwater is not a major player in this sinkhole, and isn't pooling into a lake inside it (at least not as yet) it was most likely the downward percolating groundwater (vadose water) that dissolved the chalk below it over many, many years. Will more of these form? Almost certainly. But when and where is anyone's guess. <br />
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<br />Katherine Wilkins-Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513487171907332182noreply@blogger.com0