In the small town of Sedan, Kansas, James Rainbolt is facing a problem he can’t solve. As the lack of rain continues to cause a persistent drought, Rainbolt, who runs a public wholesale water supply district, is watching the local water supply dry up. The drought has become so severe that it’s now threatening the water district’s intake pipe, potentially cutting off water supply for thousands of people in the area.
This part of Kansas is experiencing what is classified as an exceptional drought, the most severe category designated by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unlike other parts of Kansas that have vast underground aquifers, this region relies heavily on surface water sources like lakes and rivers. As a result, small towns and ranches in the area are facing difficult choices on where to draw water from, a problem that is likely to worsen with climate change and extreme weather events.
But Kansas is not alone in facing persistent drought. Communities across the country are grappling with water shortages due to lack of rain. Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas are among the states with the deepest red pockets on the U.S. Drought Monitor map, indicating severe drought conditions. Crops have been hit hard, with a significant portion of corn crops in Missouri and Iowa classified as poor or very poor. Even Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, is experiencing drought conditions in parts of Wisconsin.
In Southeast Kansas, residents are taking extraordinary measures to conserve water. The city pool and car wash have closed, schools have shut off drinking fountains, and residents have been banned from using tap water for plants or lawns. Water usage has been cut by about 30%, and conservation efforts are showing some positive results. However, the situation remains dire, and residents are getting creative in their search for water sources. Some are collecting air conditioning runoff to water plants, while others are going to various places where water is available.
The water district has initiated construction on an emergency fix to its intake equipment, which involves extending the floating dock into the lake, allowing the pipe to fall deeper into the water as the lake levels drop. This is an unprecedented situation for locals, who have never seen a drought this severe.
Sedan, known for its scenic Flint Hills and the world’s largest Yellow Brick Road, usually receives around 40 inches of rainfall annually. But last year, rainfall dropped to 28.32 inches, and this year it has dropped to fewer than 18 inches by August. Signs of drought are visible throughout the region, with waterfalls drying up, church signs asking for rain, and locals making use of any available water sources. Farmers are struggling, as soybean crops are burning up, and limited water and hay are forcing ranchers to cull their herds. The lake that supplies drinking water to the area has dropped significantly, necessitating emergency measures to protect the water supply.
The water district will rely on reserve funds and seek state and federal emergency funds to cover the costs of upgrading and protecting the water intake structure. This situation is truly an emergency, and officials are working tirelessly to mitigate the impacts of the drought.
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