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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I n00501 Most of the economic activity is related to agriculture, although refining and processing of fuels is gaining importance in the western areas. Major dryland crops are winter wheat, grain sorghum, and corn; irrigated acreage is mostly in corn, alfalfa, and sugar beets. Beef cattle and hogs are the principal livestock products. Water availability is highly variable across the Kansas Subbasin. Most streams are subject to severe seasonal fluctuations in flows. Exceptions are stream reaches regulated by reservoir releases and those in the extreme eastern portion of the subbasin, where precipitation is greatest. Ground water is abundant in most stream alluvia and also in the vast Ogallala aquifer underlying the western third of the area. However, ground water pumping for irrigation is causing severe localized declines of ground water levels. The major water use is for crop irrigation, comprising over 90 percent of withdrawals and consumptive use. Federal reservoirs play an important role in providing water supplies for irrigation systems and municipalities. Water quality of the subbasin's streams and rivers is fair. Seasonal degradation occurs due to runoff from agricultural lands and when low flows cause increases in naturally-occurring mineral concentrations. Ground water is generally hard, but the quality is adequate for most uses. Two of the subbasin's major streams, the Republican River and the Big Blue River, are subject to interstate compacts. The Republican River Interstate Compact allocates waters among Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska based upon the computed annual supply under natural conditions. Under the Big Blue River compact, Nebraska guarantees specified minimum flows in the Big Blue and Little Blue Rivers entering Kansas. The three Kansas Subbasin States for the most part adhere to the system of prior appropriation in determining water allocation for beneficial uses. 9-3