24th Water and the Future of Kansas Tomorrow!

The 24th Annual Water & the Future of Kansas Conference will be held tomorrow, March 15, 2007 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, KS. The theme for this year's conference is: "From Dust Bowl to Mud Bowl: The Threat of Sedimentation to our Federal Reservoirs." Sedimentation of reservoirs is a hot topic in Kansas and throughout the nation, especially as the country contemplates safe, secure water supplies in a changing environment. Water quantity and quality issues are being addressed throughout the state and watershed restoration and protection efforts are part of these efforts. Professionals, researchers, educators and students working on water issues throughout the state will be in attendence, so don't miss this opporunity to learn more about Kansas' water issues and network with people working on the problems.



Tentative Program Topics

Plenary Sessions

* An Overview of the Current State, Sedimentation Rates, and Future Trends in Federal Reservoirs
Bill Renwick
Miami University of Ohio
Oxford, Ohio


* Major sources of Sediment: Landscapes, Streambanks, and Channels
Andrew Simon
USDA-ARS
Oxford, Mississippi


* Dollars and Sense: What are the Economics of Sediment Management to Sustain Federal Reservoirs?
Waite Osterkamp
USDI-USGS
Tuscon, Arizona


Issue Forums/Panel Discussions

Strategies for Water Resource Protection

* Agricultural Land Management and Water Resource Protection
* Stream Morphology and Water Resource Protection
* The Role of Small Dams in Water Resource Protection
* Strategies for Protecting Groundwater Resources

Concurrent Sessions

* Watershed Management to Protect Federal Reservoirs
* Sedimentation White Papers
* Ground Water Use and Quality
* Improving Quality through Service Learning
* Water Quality Issues

Lunch Speaker
Donnie Blanz

DONNIE BLANZ is an award winning singer/songwriter who has received critical acclaim for his own Western Americana music recordings. His original songs have also been recorded by country music artists Chris LeDoux and Ed Bruce.

In addition, Blanz is an inspirational-motivational speaker and entertainer, traveling the nation with his unique and tailor made programs for associations and corporations. As an actor he has appeared in numerous television commercials, films, and music videos.