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NRCS and Big Bend Groundwater Management District No. 5 announce authorization of the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Project
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The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with Big Bend Groundwater Management District No. 5 (GMD 5), announced the formal authorization of the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Project. This milestone marks the culmination of years of collaborative planning, technical review, and stakeholder engagement to secure the long-term sustainability of water resources and agricultural production in central Kansas.

The authorized project will implement a suite of measures to address water supply reliability for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and support agricultural producers throughout the Rattlesnake Creek subbasin.

Key components include:

  • Construction of an augmentation wellfield to provide 15-18 cubic feet per second of water upstream of Quivira NWR.
  • Retirement of 2,500 acre-feet of water rights to improve streamflow and groundwater sustainability.
  • Launch of a multi-stakeholder adaptive management strategy to evaluate and adjust project performance annually.

The selected approach prevents catastrophic economic losses for producers and local communities, while fully meeting environmental and regulatory requirements. The majority of irrigated acres will remain in production, and the project is expected to save thousands of acre-feet of water each year. This balanced solution puts the needs of farmers and rural communities first, while safeguarding critical wildlife habitat and ensuring compliance with state and federal water laws.

The project is made possible through the leadership and support of GMD 5 and numerous local and state partners. Public participation has been central to the planning process, with hundreds of producers and community members engaged through meetings, workshops, and outreach.

Total installation costs are estimated at $44.4-$61.6 million, with NRCS providing 75% of funding through Public Law 83-566 and local sponsors contributing the remainder. With authorization complete, NRCS and GMD 5 will move swiftly to finalize agreements, begin design and implementation, and keep stakeholders informed throughout the process.

For More Information: NRCS continues to work alongside state and local partners to support communities, promote resource stewardship, and provide timely information. Visit nrcs.usda.gov. or contact GMD 5 for updates and opportunities to participate.