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Missouri River Alluvium Groundwater Protection Plan
Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)
One-third to one-half of the municipal drinking water in the Kansas City metropolitan area comes from groundwater in the Missouri River alluvium. It is the only aquifer in the region that can supply over 25 gallons per minute (gpm) from a single well. One thousand gpm is not uncommon. The aquifer covers approximately 150 square miles in the river reach through Kansas City and is more extensively used for drinking water than any other aquifer in the state.
Approximately 75 percent of the land above the alluvium is intensively row-cropped using heavy fertilization, pesticide applications, and, in some cases, irrigation to raise corn soybeans, and wheat. The Missouri River alluvium generally has a shallow water table and sandy soil. Aquifer contamination from usage of agricultural chemicals is a potential threat to the drinking water supply in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The extent of vulnerability to contamination and existence of any agricultural chemical contamination are unknown.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project will organize a local advisory committee to develop and recommend regional groundwater protection measures. A GIS data layer will be compiled and used to prepare maps for a groundwater protection plan. A groundwater model and technical assistance will be prepared and provided to local municipalities. This model will help communities evaluate development proposals, water levels and chemical spills to make better management and planning decisions.
OBJECTIVES
1. Organize an advisory committee to develop and recommend regional groundwater protection measures.
2. Compile a GIS data layer
3. Create a water-level map for the region
4. Identify study areas
5. Create a water-level monitoring network
6. Prepare and distribute groundwater model for municipalities.
PRODUCTS
Aquifer vulnerability map
Water-level maps
GIS database for alluvium
Hydrogeologic reports describing groundwater in the Missouri River alluvium
Calibrated MODFLOW model with technical documentation and maps
PROJECT SPONSOR
Mid-America Regional Council
COOPERATING AGENCIES
USGS, DNR, EPA Region VII, Mid-America Association of Conservation Districts.
CONTACT
Mr. David Warm, Executive Director
Mid-America Regional Council
600 Broadway, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64105
Mr. David Warm, Executive Director
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