| OCR Text |
Show 322 KANSAS the Federal Government for conservation storage projects.68 Appli- cants for water from such projects must enter into a contract with the board prior to their use of the water.59 The act specifically desig- nates and identifies certain major reservoirs and watershed projects Which are made a part of the State water plan.60 Provision is also made in the act for State financial assistance through a water development fund to aid certain public corporations in water development projects.61 The act sets forth the long-range goals and objectives for flood control and conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water, as well as general goals and objectives which are deemed desirable for the achievement of the long-range goals, and which are to serve as a guide to other agencies of the State in carrying out their water resource responsibilities.62 The Water Resources Board also has the responsibility to admin- ister bank stabilization projects which involve more than one politi- cal subdivision. AH such projects must receive the approval of the board and be included within the State water plan before construc- tion begins.63 C. OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES The principal State agencies involved in water administration are the Division of Water Resources and the Water Resources Board, whose powers and duties are discussed above. Other public agencies having responsibilities in the development and conservation of the State's water resources include: (1) Rural water districts;64 (2) watershed districts;65 (3) ground water management districts;66 and, (4) municipalities.67 3. Surface Waters The Kansas court has defined a watercourse as consisting of a channel, with banks and bed, and having a flow of water. It is not necessary that the flow be continuous, but it must have a substantial existence.68 The acquisition of rights under the appropriation doctrine is of utmost current interest in Kansas because it is now the exclusive method of obtaining rights to the unallocated water. But because the riparian rights doctrine existed in the State for so many years, it is necessary to consider both appropriation and riparian rights in order to understand the water right structure in Kansas today. 68 Sees. 82a-931, 82a-<932, and 82a-934. 6» Sec. 82a-936 and 82a-937. 60 See. 82a-938. « Sees. 82a-909, 82a-918, 82a-919, 82a-920, 82a-921, and 82a-922. 82 Sees. 82a-927 and 82a-928. 83 Sec. 82a-1101. M Sees. 82a-601 to 82a-637. 85 Sees. 24-1201, et seq. 88 Sees. 82a-1020 through 1035. « Sees. 13-1205, 13-2401 to 13-2428. <*Ralt v. Furrow, 74 Kan. 101, 85 Pac. 934 (1906) ; Hornor v. Baxter Springs, 116 Kan. 288, 226 Pac. 779 (1924). " |
