Feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge in Southwest Kansas
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 6
Abstract
In this paper, the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) for southwestern Kansas was investigated. Multiple sources of water for MAR were investigated, including rainfall-runoff from fields, use of low-flow or ephemeral rivers and streams, and use of a large regional river. Use of the Arkansas River was found to be the most viable source of water. Construction of infiltration basins in existing sand mines was found to be the best MAR alternative in this region. The requirement for the reclamation of sand mines set out by the State of Kansas fits the requirements of infiltration basins, and there exists a local ditch system that can convey Arkansas River flows to the basins with little need of new construction. The salinity of the Arkansas River is of concern. The negative impact of this could be reduced by selecting salt-tolerant crops. This investigation is relevant throughout the State of Kansas, leading to the possibility that another region would have more suitable conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 6 • December 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 30, 2023
Accepted: May 16, 2024
Published online: Aug 26, 2024
Published in print: Dec 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jan 26, 2025
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