From the diversity of projects eligible for state cost-share programs, to the technical aspects of designing terraces and waterways, there is a lot going on at the Cowley County Conservation District and NRCS offices. 

Sometimes, however, a lot of work needs to be done in what seems like a short amount of time.  Small windows of opportunity present themselves to complete a variety of projects. It is during these short lengths of time that everyone in the county is trying to do the same things.  Landowners and operators are working with contractors to plan, implement and complete a wide array of jobs. It is the same here.  We are busy designing and staking waterways, terraces and ponds, not to mention brush control and seeding.  Work continues with the Grouse Silver Creek and Upper Timber Creek Watersheds to protect and improve the quality of the watershed areas.

Together we can improve Cowley County soil and conserve our natural resources.

Cowley County Conservation District

Funding is provided in part by the State Conservation Commission through appropriation from the Kansas Water Plan Fund.

All programs of the Cowley County Conservation District are available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age or handicap.

All photos are the property of the Cowley County Conservation District and are not to be reproduced without written permission from the Cowley County Conservation District.

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This page was last updated: May 7, 2013

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Upper Timber Creek-Producer Advisory Committee - Developing Strategy for Winfield Lake

The Upper Timber Creek-Producer Advisory Committee has been busy working on a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS).  This project consists of compiling the concerns of stakeholders in the watershed with water quality data from the Winfield City Lake and a stream assessment of Timber Creek above the lake and developing a plan of action.  This working plan will ensure that the UTC-PAC is achieving water quality results with their conservation efforts and addressing the concerns of the stakeholders.  Ron Graber , Watershed Specialist, with K-State Research and Extension is assisting the UTC-PAC with the development of the plan. 

Future activities planned include a Fall 2011 tour of completed conservation practices in the watershed and a Spring 2012 tour of the upper reaches of Winfield City Lake.  The UTC-PAC continues to provide cost-share assistance to producers with conservation concerns in the watershed.  If you have questions or are interested in pursuing assistance for a project please contact Jennifer Carr, Water Quality Coordinator,  at 620-221-1850 ext. 3 or by e-mail jennifer.carr @ks.nacdnet.net.

Kansas Launches Cost-Share Initiative to Improve Existing Livestock Water Supplies

TOPEKA – The Kansas State Conservation Commission (SCC) last night approved a plan to work with Kansas livestock producers on a cost-share program targeted at improving existing livestock water supplies. The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Division of Conservation urges livestock producers to focus project applications on restoration of existing ponds, well development, spring development or other water storage projects.

The SCC, which is a board of commissioners consisting of five elected and four appointed members, approved the use of $500,000 of fiscal year 2012 cost-share funding that has been carried forward to provide immediate assistance to livestock producers in drought-stricken Kansas. Producers will have 45-days to sign-up for the cost-share assistance initiative and will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 per project and up to $4,000 per landowner. Projects will be considered and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. KDA’s Division of Conservation will collect applications submitted by county conservation districts and then process and approve individual contracts.

“The impacts of this drought are being felt far and wide and will continue to be felt even after rain arrives. We are here to help producers cope with the drought today but also help them recover and plan for future droughts,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman. “From a newly adopted effort to  restore existing ponds to drilling deeper wells, developing springs or digging new ponds, this funding will provide critical assistance to assure the hard-hit livestock producers in Kansas have water storage and supplies available for critical seasons going forward.”

Pastures that currently have limited or no existing water supplies are the primary targets for this initiative. Livestock producers with existing ponds who are requesting cost-share assistance must meet specific criteria to be eligible. Specifically, dams must be in satisfactory condition or the landowner must commit to bring the dam to a satisfactory condition and the pond must still be capable of serving a conservation use for stockwater. Cost-share funding can be used for sediment removal; principal spillway replacement; or embankment seeding. Rodman said the Division of Conservation and the county conservation districts will be flexible with livestock producers to help assure they meet the specific criteria.

Projects related to well development, spring development and new ponds will follow current policy requirements.

Rodman urged livestock producers to work with their county conservation district to submit an application for these cost-share opportunities. The Cowley County Conservation District is located at 2118 E. 9th, Suite B, Winfield, 620-221-1850 ext 1330.  Or Contact Rachel Parrish, District Manager