Exceptional drought results in dry rivers...
(8/26/2012)
By: NWS Wichita
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Extreme to
Exceptional Drought leads to dry rivers across South Central
Kansas
(these pictures were taken at
the beginning to middle of August 2012 and were provided by the USGS and
NWS)
Arkansas River coming
into Wichita
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This is the
river/floodway control structure about 4 miles downstream from Maize.
There is no flow through this structure. Usually the Arkansas River flows
under I-235 at this point.
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This is looking
upstream of the control structure at the Arkansas River which is now a dry
riverbed at this point.
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This is looking on the
other side of the control structure on the upstream side.
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Along the Arkansas
River
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Near Nickerson, looking downstream on August
23rd. Flow here 20 cfs with a stage of 8.45 ft.
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Near Haven, looking downstream on August 23rd.
Flow here 22 cfs with a stage of 2.06 ft.
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Looking downstream toward Exploration Place from
the Seneca Bridge in Wichita. USGS estimated flow to be 5 cfs on August
23rd.
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Looking upstream from the bridge at Big River
Park and viewing where the river starts to flow at this point then becomes
a dry riverbed toward I-235.
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Water mark under the Big River Park Bridge
denoting normal flow of river.
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NWS Service Hydrologist standing in the Arkansas
River near the floodway structure by I-235 on August 23, 2012.
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Arkansas River near
Maize
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The Arkansas River near
Maize looking downstream.
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USGS making a low flow
measurement of 0.45 cfs on the Arkansas River near Maize.
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Looking upstream on the
Arkansas River near Maize.
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Additional
Rivers
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N. fork of the
Ninnescah river looking east on hwy 17 on August 4, 2012
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.jpg)
Looking downstream on the Ninnescah River near
Peck on August 3, 2012. Flow at 3.23 cfs with a stage of 2.3 ft.
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The Cowskin Creek in
Wichita has dropped to zero flow at the segment of the creek just south of
Kellogg Street. This picture was taken by the USGS on August 3rd 2012,
when they measured 0.00 cfs for the day. Notice parts of the river bed
have dried-up.
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This story was brought to you by the National Weather Service - Wichita, Kansas.