News from SW KS GMD3

                While the District was hit with single digit temperatures, Board members Steve Stone and Mike McNeice, along with Mark Rude and Jason Norquest, enjoyed 30 degree weather at the annual Groundwater Management District Association's (GMDA) winter conference in Charleston, South Carolina. The conference, held this year January 6-8, brings board members and staff of groundwater management districts from all across the United States.
                A highlight Thursday morning was hearing about the water issues and programs being implemented in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. In the last couple of years, Georgia has implemented a state wide metering program on all wells. During the presentation and throughout the day we were able to hear the process they went through and were able to give them our perspective of how we implemented the program and the troubles we have encountered over the years. The afternoon sessions turned more to the new technology being used to monitor water use. We heard from representatives of companies about variable rate irrigation and the latest in monitoring water through telemetry. Colorado is in a pilot program of implementing telemetry reading to monitor well activity and stream flows. A real positive has been the ability to get real time data on a lot of wells with less staff time. The up to date measurements allows them to better manage the offsets needed to ensure compliance with streamflows.
                Friday morning our attention was turned to the importance of communication. It wasn't just about communicating with individuals, but the how the board communicates with managers and staff. With all of the projects that all districts have, it is essential that there is clear and open communication on all levels of our district. Discussion tables were broken out for board presidents and members, district managers and then staff. Different exercises were done to illustrate how one or two people may be thinking the same thing, but at times the communication to others is misinterpreted. It really brought home the point that in order for a program in any district to work smoothly, there has to be a clear line of communication on all levels. Meetings like the GMDA conference is a perfect example of how even communicating on a national level can be beneficial at the district level.
                  Everyone in attendance capped off the meeting with a wonderful tour of historic Fort Sumter. It was great to have the opportunity to mix some pleasure in with a very productive meeting. The summer conference is scheduled for June 6-8th,2010 at Little Rock, Arkansas.