Lt. Governor learns about sediment reduction efforts near John Redmond Reservoir

Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers got to see sediment reduction efforts in action during a tour of southeastern Lyon County on Friday.The lieutenant governor stopped at three locations near the John Redmond Reservoir to learn about different approaches to cover crops and overall sediment reduction. He says the tour highlights the state’s two biggest needs when it comes to water.

Also part of the tour was Kansas Water Office Director Earl Lewis, who was in Emporia earlier in the week to facilitate a public input meeting on water issues. Lewis says the John Redmond watershed has been beset by siltation since the lake was created, and the Water Office has encouraged streambank stabilization projects upstream for years. It also partially dredged the lake three years ago. For Lewis, the more solutions, the better.

Rogers says people take water for granted, so it’s important for leaders to keep reminding residents about the need for a good, consistent water supply. Like Lewis, Rogers says water quality and quantity are main concerns for him and Gov. Laura Kelly. He also says the state has to have a range of partners working together, including local levels of government, agriculture producers, business and industry.

The next major event regarding water in Kansas is the Governor’s Water Conference on Thursday and Friday in Wichita. For more information about water planning and water issues, go online to www.kwo.ks.gov.

Content retrieved from: https://www.kvoe.com/news/item/45839-lt-governor-learns-about-sediment-reduction-efforts-near-john-redmond-reservoir.