Marion Reservoir study needs to be conducted
Marion County Commission was asked Monday to consider allotting funds for a study of Marion Reservoir as part of a WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) project.
Peggy Blackman, director of the WRAPS program, said no hydrological study had been completed since 1982, and at that time it showed the reservoir was 30 years ahead of where it should be for sediment load.
A study could cost between $200,000 and $300,000, said Blackman.
A study conducted by Kansas Geological Survey in December 1998, was done for two days during low flow on the tributaries, said Blackman. No other monitoring has been completed.
The reservoir has been on the Corps "short list," said Blackman, for funding but money had not been appropriated.
In asking for funding, Blackman encouraged the commission to consider funding one-half or one mill for the study and BMP (Best Management Practices) programs to maintain and improve water quality.
Blackman said the state may require the reservoir and its tributaries to reduce phosphorus by 75 percent but she wasn't sure how to accomplish that without a study.
Sediment issues also need to be addressed to reduce the incidents of outbreaks of toxins like blue-green algae.
Blackman said there was a 175-foot wide and mile long "river" of algae on May 15, but heavy rains caused sufficient turbidity or water movement and the algae didn't grow.
With information provided by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 415,000 people visited the reservoir in 2000, said Blackman. Within a 30-mile radius of the reservoir, $6.8 million was spent.
Of that amount, 56 percent or $3.82 million was spent locally to direct sales to tourism-related firms. These sales generated $1.44 million in direct personal income, and supported nearly 110 jobs.
The reservoir was constructed in 1968. Since that time, it has saved $162.8 million in flood damage, and provides a public water source to 15,000 people.
Since 2003, $252,207 has been spent for BMP projects through the WRAPS project and the question remains if these projects are decreasing the amount of sediment.
A comprehensive study of the watershed should be conducted, said Blackman, but without placing the burden of the cost on landowners and producers of the watershed district.
The average landowner and producer paid more than 30 percent or an average of $1,300 per BMP implementation.
The WRAPS program will receive $100,000 in 2006 for BMP projects.
"This shouldn't be just the responsibility of the cities receiving water," said Blackman, because the entire county benefits.
Commissioner Dan Holub asked why the Corps would identify a need for the reservoir, build it, and then not continue to provide necessary studies and improvements.
Blackman said the Corps has had to deal with other issues like hurricanes and other disasters.
The congressional budget does not include ongoing costs for the reservoir, said Blackman.
If the Corps does provide the study, there still would be some match requirements, said Blackman.
Blackman also reported the WRAPS program was awarded $200,000 for 2006, with a $66,666 match being required.
Commission chairman Bob Hein said the commission will consider these requests when the 2007 budget is decided.
