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Drought Runs Some Kansas Rivers Dry

Reporter: Associated Press

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

More than a month before Kansas rivers typically reach their low marks, some rivers are already running dry.

The Ninescah River started going dry near the Cheney Reservoir a few weeks ago.

The Arkansas River near Hutchinson last week was flowing at 25 cubic feet per second, the lowest flow in 52 years. It stopped flowing at Great Bend a few days ago. Normally, the Arkansas would be flowing around 265 cubic feet per second this time of year.

U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Brian Loving told the Hutchinson News that more rivers and streams will reach record low levels in coming months. The drought is expected to continue through at least September, while water consumption from irrigators and others will increase because of the lack of rain.