On July 6, 2012, the City of Salina issued a “Water Watch” in an attempt to heighten public awareness of water supply conditions and to ask for voluntary reductions in water use to avoid implementing mandatory restrictions. In order to keep citizens informed, the City of Salina is providing weekly reports on weather conditions, river flows and water usage.
|
June 14 – June 20 |
June 21 – June 27 |
|
| Precipitation (in) |
0 – 0.26 |
0 |
| Temperatures (F) |
87 – 101 |
94 – 107 |
| River Flow (cfs1) |
14 – 1,010 |
18 – 42 |
| Water Treated (MGD2) |
5.82 – 7.35 |
7.82 -8.95 |
| Average Water Treated |
6.76 MGD |
8.11 MGD |
(1) Smoky Hill River Flow at Mentor Gauge (cfs – cubic feet per second)
(2) MGD – Million gallons per day
Last week had above normal temperatures and no precipitation. The “Water Watch” is in place due to the river flow being below 30 cfs and above 20 cfs (triggers Water Warning). The river flows have been in a declining trend all week. The release from KanopolisLake was increased from 20 cfs to 40 cfs on June 26, 2013. It typically takes 3 to 4 days for the increased flow to travel from the lake to the Mentor Gauge. The goal is to have 20 cfs at the Mentor Gauge. KanopolisLake’s elevation level has remained at 1,460, which is three feet below the conservation pool elevation of 1,463. Approximately 60 percent of the city’s water supply comes from the Smoky Hill River, and flows in the river are affected by how much water is released from KanopolisLake.
The City of Salina continues to encourage water customers to practice water conservation, especially regarding lawn-watering and other outdoor uses.
The City recommends that private domestic well users follow the same practices as the public water users, as the water comes from the same aquifer.
The high temperatures are expected to be between 83 and 94 degrees this week, and no precipitation is forecasted. Overall conditions warrant that the “Water Watch” remain in effect until further notice.