City raises concerns about water supply as Wichita records driest spring in decades

Wichita experienced its driest spring in decades this year.

Just 3.66 inches of rain fell during March, April and May at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. The average amount of precipitation for those three spring months is just over 10 inches, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Jakub.

Jakub could not provide rain amounts for the same time period for Wichita in 1967, the last time it was this dry, but said amounts for 1967 were near the ones for this year.

The National Weather Service in Wichita said areas including, central, south central and southeast Kansas saw their driest spring since the 1960s.

Although the area has received less than half of the average amount of rain, Jakub said the forecast for the rest of the week has us “heading in the right direction,”

Thursday saw periods of heavy rainfall. From 6 a.m. to midnight, a little over half an inch fell. Early Friday afternoon saw .01 inches fall.

“All it takes is a couple good storms to come over your area,” Jakub said.

As of Friday, there was a 80% chance of precipitation for Saturday, 30% for Sunday night and 20% for Monday according to a NWS detailed forecast.

Wichita is in an exceptional drought. Thursday, Wichita officials talked about measures to stave off the drought during a briefing that had to move inside because of rain.

“I know it’s raining, but we do have to talk about our drought situation here in Wichita and this region,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said.

Joining Whipple was Don Henry, assistant utilities department director of Wichita Public Works & Utilities. Henry said the day’s rain may mean short-term improvements in greener grass, but the threat of the drought still looms.

“I know that the farmers will appreciate the rain, but in terms of public water supply and managing that through a drought, we have to keep our eye on Cheney Reservoir.”

That reservoir accounts for nearly half of Wichita’s drinking water. Its levels are affected not only by the amount of rainfall, but also by the amount of run-off that reaches Cheney.

“Protecting those levels in Cheney is very important,” Henry said. By the end of the year, he added, the city could move to the second stage of its drought response plan.

Actions would include cutting down on water used for gardening and lawn maintenance, a city-level conservation plan and an expanded rebate program for Wichita water customers purchasing water-efficient devices.

The city has already begun exercising water efficiency at city buildings, using alternative water sources such as greywater when applicable and reducing water use at golf courses, parks and on other city grassland.

“During Riverfest, the attendees will be able to enjoy our fountains during the festival,” Whipple said. “But afterward, we will be shutting them off in order to help conserve a little bit of water during this drought.”