How Do You Measure a River?
There's a riddle among geographers that asks "How does one measure a coastline?" The answer is tougher than you might think: How far into and back out of all the coastal nooks and crannies does one measure? At what point is a cranny not worth considering?
Then the variables of time and water depth (that is, underlying geography) are introduced: Do we measure the coast at high tide or low tide? And even if that could be agreed upon, recall that the sun and moon pull at the oceans differently during neap tides and king tides.
Lucky for us in Kansas, there may be a sea of grass, but there are no oceanic coastlines to worry over. Measuring rivers and other inland bodies of water is much easier.
Or is it? Recall Heraclitus, who couldn't step into the same river twice. River levels can change dramatically and unpredictably with rainfall and evaporation, and their courses can change dramatically as well. Kansas is famous for having no natural lakes, so you'd think we'd have a handle on the ones we've made, but erosion and sedimentation are changing their quality and capacity. Of course, their very presence changes the river that allows them in the first place.
What if the water is deep underground, yet absolutely necessary for our livelihoods and a huge chunk of the state's economy? We'd want to know exactly where the water is, how much there is, and how fast it's being used and recharged — if it's being recharged at all.
Time is a variable here too, for much of the subterranean water of western Kansas came from melting glaciers. It’s so old it's called "fossil water” and is essentially a non-renewable resource.
Because of all this, even as I write, a new task force is meeting to consider Kansas water issues and come up with a long-term water plan. As you've surely heard, Kansas waters are in trouble.
Or maybe you haven't heard.
Get to Know the Ogallala Aquifer (and Other Local Waters)
Last winter, a report from the Kansas News Service shocked some of us here at the library. The headline claimed that "Half of Kansans say they haven't heard of the Ogallala Aquifer."
We decided it was time to remedy that, and generally to raise awareness of our local waters, so we've put together a series of presentations and tours. And, because it's spring and because our District Forester happens to be available, we're including trees in the series too. Of course, we've also compiled a list of interesting books on rivers (the list of books on trees will appear in a later post).
Check here for more details on all these events.
The Rivers and Trees series starts on June 17 with Andrew Rutter, opens a new window, as of last fall the director of the Baker Wetlands, who will talk about the new management structure there, as well as his boots-in-the-muck experiences with the unique and changing ecology of the wetlands.
Then we swing into the trees, as District Forester EJ Jamison joins us on the 18th for a locally-flavored talk on Kansas trees, opens a new window. I'm happy to add that EJ also will be joining me on a tour of the "Train Park", opens a new window trees on the morning of Saturday, June 21.
Who better to talk about the subject that kicked off this whole series, the Ogallala Aquifer, than the Director Emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey, Rex Buchanan? Rex has probably plumbed the depths of the Ogallala more than anyone else (quite literally), so if you happen to be one of the 50% in the headlines, now is the time to change that, when Rex speaks on the 26th, opens a new window.
On July 12 we'll bring it back to River City, as we tour the Bowersock Mill and Power Plant, opens a new window. We'll see the old and the new tech behind the largest hydroelectric plant in Kansas, right here in Lawrence. Space is limited, so be sure to register through our website.
We'll wrap it up with a presentation on July 15 by the Friends of the Kaw, opens a new window. Kansas Riverkeeper and FOK Executive Director Dawn Buehler will attempt to fill us in on the river and all the great things they do on it, in it, and for it, and will be accompanied by FOK board member, river guide, and artist Lisa Grossman. Don't miss this one.
River Reading Recommendations
Naturally, the library has a slough (heh) of excellent books on rivers. Here are a few:
And keep your eyes peeled for two brand new titles:
and RIVERINE DREAMS: AWAY TO THE GLORIOUS AND FORGOTTEN GRASSLAND RIVERS OF AMERICA, about which you will hear much more in the coming months...
—Jake Vail is an Information Services Assistant at Lawrence Public Library.
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