WSP10064

• File Number: 8112.600
• Description: Arkansas White Red Basins Interagency Committee - AWRBIAC -- Reports
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 4/1/1977
• Title: Technical Memorandum -- Activity 3 Phase II -- Specific Problem Analysis - 1975 National Assessment -- Arkansas-White-Red Region Part 1 of 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Physical and Climatic Characteristics:

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The elevation of the area falls from about 4,000 feet above
sea level at the Colorado state line to about 3,000 feet to the
east. The decline is gradual, and the terrain is mostly gently
rolling plains with few abrupt changes in elevation.

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The area is drained principally by two rivers, the Arkansas
to the north and central, and the Cimarron to the south. Unlike
the Smoky Hill and South Fork of the Republican Rivers to the
north, the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers have not undercut the
Ogallala sands and gravels which predominate the immediate sub-
surface geology of the region. Rather, both of these rivers,
the Arkansas all the way across the region and the Cimarron in
the far southeast, have formed alluviums.

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The climate of the region is characterized by dryness, lots
of sunshine, low humidity, and, during the summer, warm days and
considerable wind movement from the south. Winters are cold, with
the prevailing wind from the north and northwest. The average
annual precipitation is about 15-19 inches, with about 70 percent
coming during the 160-170 day growing season.

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The principal and often overriding characteristic of the
region's climate is variability. Temperature, wind movement,
precipitation, and most other climatological averages cannot
meaningfully describe the area's climate. There is considerable
variation in climate from one day, month, and year to the next,
and from one part of the area to the next.

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Social and Economic Characteristics:

Settlement of the area began after 1870 and was essentially
completed by about 1900. Through 1970 there has been little change
in the area's population which, in 1970 totaled about 83,000. No
significant change in the area's population is expected during the
forseeable future.

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The area, encompassing fifteen counties in the southwestern
corner of the State of Kansas, is very dependent upon agriculture.
Out of a total employment level of 32,000 in 1970, 8,400 or 26
percent, were employed in the agricultural sector. While no other
industrial sector rivals agriculture in importance to the regional
economy, mining of petrol~um and natural gas is important in certain
areas. The mining sector employed over 1,200 persons in 1970,
mostly in the southern part of the region in Morton, Stevens, and
Seward counties.

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