Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected 

Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5167

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Front cover. Rattlesnake Creek, Stafford County, Kansas. Photograph provided by Ryan Waters, Kansas Department of Wildlife, 

Parks and Tourism. 

Back cover. Upper right: Etheostoma cragini (Arkansas darter). Photograph provided by Ryan Waters, Kansas Department of 

Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. 

Center: East Branch Kiowa Creek, Comanche County, Kansas. Photograph by Greg Kramos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service. 

Lower left: Etheostoma cragini (Arkansas darter). Photograph provided by Ryan Waters, Kansas Department of 

Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Front and back cover background photograph: Salt Fork Arkansas River, Comanche County, Kansas. Photograph by Greg Kramos, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at 

Selected Streamgages in Southwest and 

South-Central Kansas

By Kyle E. Juracek

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5167

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2015

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U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials 

as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Juracek, K.E., 2015, Streamflow characteristics and trends at selected streamgages in southwest 

and south-central Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5167, 20 p., 

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155167.

ISSN 2328-0328 (online)
iii

Contents

Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................................vi

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................2

Study Area Description........................................................................................................................2

Methods...........................................................................................................................................................3

Streamflow Characteristics and Trends ....................................................................................................5

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma............................................................................................5

Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas .........................................................................................5

Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas....................................................................................8

Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas............................................................................................9

North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas..................................................10

South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas ...........................................................................11

South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas....................................................................12

Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas ...................................................................................13

Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas...............................................................................................14

Effects of Natural and Human Factors on Streamflow..........................................................................16

Summary and Conclusions.........................................................................................................................19

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................19

Figures

1. Map showing basin boundaries, selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages, and

land use (2011), southwest and south-central Kansas...........................................................2

2. Map showing groundwater-level changes in the High Plains aquifer,

predevelopment to 2013...............................................................................................................3

3. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow 

at the Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, streamgage (station 07156900), 

1966–2013 .......................................................................................................................................5

4. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, streamgage (station 07156900), 1966–2013 .......7

5. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, streamgage (station 07156900), 1966–2013 .......7

6. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, streamgage (station 07157500),

1943–2013 .......................................................................................................................................7

7. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013.....7

8. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013.....7

9. Graphs showing variation at the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas,

streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013...............................................................................8

10. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142300),

1960–2013 .......................................................................................................................................8
iv

11. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142300),

1960–2013 .......................................................................................................................................8

12. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142300),

1960–2013 .......................................................................................................................................9

13. Graphs showing variation at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas,

streamgage (station 07142300), 1960–2013...............................................................................9

14. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142575),

1974–2013 .....................................................................................................................................10

15. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows 

at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142575), 

1974–2013 .....................................................................................................................................10

16. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows 

at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, streamgage (station 07142575), 

1974–2013 .....................................................................................................................................10

17. Graphs showing variation at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas,

streamgage (station 07142575), 1974–2013.............................................................................10

18. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas, streamgage

(station 07144780), 1966–2013 ...................................................................................................11

19. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07144780), 1966–2013 ...................................................................................................11

20. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07144780), 1966–2013 ...................................................................................................11

21. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144910),

1981–2013 .....................................................................................................................................12

22. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144910),

1981–2013 .....................................................................................................................................12

23. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144910),

1981–2013 .....................................................................................................................................12

24. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow 

at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07145200), 1951–2013 ...................................................................................................12

25. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas, streamgage (station 07145200),

1951–2013 .....................................................................................................................................13

26. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas, streamgage (station 07145200),

1951–2013 .....................................................................................................................................13
v

27. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at

the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, streamgage (station 07149000),

1939–2013 .....................................................................................................................................13

28. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows at the

Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, streamgage (station 07149000),

1939–2013 .....................................................................................................................................14

29. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at the

Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, streamgage (station 07149000),

1939–2013 .....................................................................................................................................14

30. Graphs showing variation at the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas,

streamgage (station 07149000), 1939–2013.............................................................................14

31. Graph showing variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow 

at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage (station 07151500), 

1951–2013 .....................................................................................................................................15

32. Graph showing variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile streamflows 

at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage (station 07151500), 

1951–2013 .....................................................................................................................................15

33. Graph showing variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows 

at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage (station 07151500), 

1951–2013 .....................................................................................................................................15

34. Graphs showing variation at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage

(station 07151500), 1951–2013 ...................................................................................................15

35. Graphs showing variation in annual precipitation for the basins of the nine

selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages including the coefficient of

determination (R2) and p-value associated with the relation between precipitation

and time........................................................................................................................................16

36. Graph showing groundwater-level changes and trends in annual precipitation and

annual mean discharge for the nine selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages

in southwest and south-central Kansas .................................................................................18

Tables

1. Nine U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in the priority basins used in this study to

examine streamflow characteristics and trends ....................................................................4

2. Results of trend tests for annual streamflow characteristics for the nine selected

U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in southwest and south-central Kansas.................6
vi

Conversion Factors

[Inch/Pound to International System of Units]

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Acknowledgments

For the collection and provision of groundwater-level data, the author thanks Western Kansas 

Groundwater Management District #1, Equus Beds Groundwater Management District #2, 

Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District #3, Northwest Kansas Groundwater 

Management District #4, Big Bend Groundwater Management District #5, the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources, and the Kansas Geological Survey. 

The author gratefully acknowledges Dave Wolock and Xiaodong Jian of the U.S. Geological 

Survey for their invaluable assistance with the development and analysis of streamflow and 

precipitation datasets.
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected 

Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

By Kyle E. Juracek

Abstract

Historical data for nine selected streamgages in southwest and south-central Kansas were used in an assessment 

of streamflow characteristics and trends. This information is 

required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas 

Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to assist with 

the effective management of Etheostoma cragini (Arkansas darter) habitats and populations in the State. Changing 

streamflow conditions, such as a reduction or elimination of 

streamflow, may adversely affect the Arkansas darter. Priority basins for the Arkansas darter represented by the selected 

streamgages include the Cimarron River, Rattlesnake Creek, 

the North Fork Ninnescah River, the South Fork Ninnescah 

River, the Medicine Lodge River, and the Chikaskia River. 

Streamflow conditions were assessed using annual 

streamflow characteristics computed for the period of record 

for each of the selected streamgages. Specific streamflow 

characteristics computed were mean discharge, mean base 

flow, 90th-percentile flow, 10th-percentile flow, minimum 

7-day mean flow, minimum 28-day mean flow, number of days 

of flow less than 1 cubic foot per second, and number of zeroflow days. 

Two of the priority basins had statistically significant 

decreases in annual mean discharge during the period of 

record. In the Cimarron River Basin, there was a pronounced 

multidecadal decrease in the magnitude and variability of 

annual mean discharge. Concurrently, the percentage of the 

annual mean discharge that was contributed by base flow 

increased. In the Rattlesnake Creek Basin, there was a pre1985 decrease in annual mean discharge. Typically, in these 

two basins, significant decreases were indicated for mean 

base flow, 90th-percentile flow, 10th-percentile flow, minimum 7-day mean flow, and minimum 28-day mean flow. No 

significant trend in annual mean discharge was indicated for 

the North Fork Ninnescah, South Fork Ninnescah, Medicine 

Lodge, and Chikaskia River Basins. For the Medicine Lodge 

and Chikaskia River Basins as well as the downstream part of 

the South Fork Ninnescah River Basin, a significant increase 

in mean base flow and 10th-percentile flow was indicated. 

Also, for the latter two basins, a significant increase was indicated for minimum 7-day mean flow. 

Factors investigated to explain long-term trends in 

annual mean discharge, or lack thereof, included precipitation and groundwater withdrawals. Annual precipitation in 

the study area varied substantially from 1951 to 2013 with 

no pronounced long-term trend. Thus, a precipitation-related 

explanation for the significant decrease in annual mean discharge in the Cimarron River and Rattlesnake Creek Basins 

was not supported. Because the most pronounced decreases 

in annual mean discharge were in the basin with the largest groundwater-level declines (that is, the Cimarron River 

Basin), both in terms of magnitude and areal extent, it is likely 

that groundwater withdrawals were a primary, if not dominant, 

causative factor. 

The occurrence of extremely low-flow (less than 1 cubic 

foot per second) and zero-flow days varied by basin and year. 

Typically, such days occurred in the summer and autumn for 

all basins. 

Introduction

The Etheostoma cragini (Arkansas darter) (hereafter 

referred to as “darter”) is listed as a threatened fish species by 

the State of Kansas. At the Federal level, it currently (2015) is 

a candidate species for listing. A primary threat to the survival 

of the darter is loss of habitat caused by changing streamflow 

conditions. Specifically, a reduction or elimination of streamflow caused by various factors (for example, decreased precipitation, increased temperature and evapotranspiration associated with climate change, groundwater withdrawals, land-use 

and land-management changes, change in runoff conditions) 

may adversely and perhaps irreversibly affect the remaining 

darter populations in the State (Eberle and Stark, 2000; Falke 

and others, 2011; Hoagstrom and others, 2011). Habitats of 

particular interest are located in southwest and south-central 

Kansas. Priority basins identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, 

Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) include the Cimarron River 

Basin (especially downstream from 101° west longitude), the 

Rattlesnake Creek Basin, the North Fork Ninnescah River 

Basin upstream from Cheney Reservoir, the South Fork Ninnescah River Basin, the Chikaskia River Basin (especially 
2 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

upstream from 37°15′ north latitude), and the Medicine Lodge 

River Basin (fig. 1). 

To provide some of the information needed for the 

effective management of darter habitats and populations in 

Kansas, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation 

with the USFWS and KDWPT, began a 1.5-year study in 2014 

to assess streamflow at nine selected USGS streamgage sites. 

The assessment provides an indication of streamflow conditions and changes for the priority basins in southwest and 

south-central Kansas. 

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to present the results of the 

USGS study to assess streamflow characteristics and trends 

at nine selected USGS streamgage sites in southwest and 

south-central Kansas. Various streamflow characteristics were 

computed and compared for the period of record for each 

site. As part of the assessment, precipitation and groundwater 

Figure 1. Basin boundaries, selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages, and land use (2011), southwest and south-central Kansas.

Cheney Reservoir

Chi kaskia River

Arkansas River

Crook ed Creek

Medicine Lod geRiver

Ra ttlesnak eCreek

Cimarron River

North ForkNinnescah

River

South Fork Ninnescah River

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Great

Bend

Hutchinson

Murdock

Garden

City

Macksville

Dodge City

Wichita

Corbin

Pratt

Liberal Englewood

Kiowa

Elkhart

Forgan

Ponca City

SEDGWICK

KINGMAN

FINNEY

KIOWA

KEARNY

HAMILTON

GRANT

SCOTT

ELLSWORTH

STEVENS

STANTON

HASKELL

GRAY PRATT

SEWARD

GREELEY

PAWNEE

COMANCHE

HARVEY

DICKINSON

NESS

MORTON

SUMNER

CLARK

BARTON

SALINE

BARBER

WICHITA

MEADE

RUSH MARION

FORD

HODGEMAN

STAFFORD

LANE

EDWARDS

HARPER

BUTLER

MCPHERSON

RENO

RICE

COWLEY

07144910

07142300

07142575

07144780

07145200

07149000 07151500

07155590

07156900 07157500

102° 101° 100° 99° 98° 97°

38°

37°

07156900

Zenith Zenit

KANSAS

COLORADO

OKLAHOMA

Index Map

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 2011 National Land Cover Dataset 30-meter resolution 

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridan 96°00’W

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

EXPLANATION

Land-use class

Water

Wetlands

Shrubland

Grassland

Cropland

Developed

Basin boundary

U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 

 and identifier

0

0 25 50 MILES

25 50 KILOMETERS

withdrawals (as evidenced by groundwater-level changes) 

were evaluated to potentially explain changes in streamflow. 

Results presented in this report will provide some of the 

information needed by the USFWS and KDWPT to enable 

better informed and more effective management of darter 

habitats and populations in Kansas. Specifically, the assessment provides multidecadal information at multiple sites that 

will contribute to an improved understanding of how streamflow conditions have changed in the areas of interest. Nationally, the methods and results presented in this report provide 

guidance and perspective for future studies concerned with the 

issue of streamflow-related habitat change. 

Study Area Description

The study area in southwest and south-central Kansas 

includes all or part of the basins for the Cimarron River, 

Rattlesnake Creek, North Fork Ninnescah River, South Fork 

Ninnescah River, Medicine Lodge River, and Chikaskia 
Methods 3

River (fig. 1). Average annual precipitation in the study area 

increases from about 15 to 20 inches (in.) in the west to about 

30 in. in the east (Sophocleous, 1998; High Plains Regional 

Climate Center, 2014). Land use in the basins mostly is a mix 

of cropland and grassland (fig. 1) (Jin and others, 2013). 

In the study area, the High Plains aquifer underlies all or 

most of the basins of the Cimarron River, Rattlesnake Creek, 

North Fork Ninnescah River, and South Fork Ninnescah 

River; however, the aquifer is not present in much of the Medicine Lodge and Chikaskia River Basins (fig. 2). Extensive use 

of groundwater from the aquifer, primarily for irrigated agriculture, began in the 1950s and continues to the present (Kansas Water Resources Board, 1958, 1960; Gutentag and others, 

1984; Kenny and Juracek, 2013). Groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer, far in excess of natural recharge, have 

caused declines in groundwater levels (Gutentag and others, 

1984; Young and others, 2005). Groundwater withdrawals for irrigation are the primary cause of groundwater-level 

changes in the aquifer (Young and others, 2005; Whittemore 

and others, 2015). In much of the Cimarron River Basin (of 

which Crooked Creek is a subbasin), groundwater levels have 

declined 50 to 150 feet (ft) or more. Declines of 10 to 25 ft or 

more have occurred in upstream parts of the basins of Rattlesnake Creek, the North Fork Ninnescah River, and the South 

Fork Ninnescah River (McGuire, 2014) (fig. 2). 

Methods

Streamflow characteristics and trends were examined for 

the period of record for nine USGS streamgages situated in the 

priority basins of southwest and south-central Kansas (fig. 1, 

table 1). The available streamflow data used for this study 

were collected as part of the USGS national streamgaging network using standard USGS methods (Turnipseed and Sauer, 

2010). Near real-time and historical streamflow data for the 

Figure 2. Groundwater-level changes in the High Plains aquifer, predevelopment to 2013. (Source: McGuire, 2014).

Cheney Reservoir

Chi kaskia River

Arkansas River

Crook ed Creek

Medicine Lod geRiver

Ra ttlesnak eCreek

Cimarron River

North ForkNinnescah

River

South Fork Ninnescah River

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Great

Bend

Garden Hutchinson City

Macksville

Dodge City

Wichita

Corbin

Liberal Englewood

Kiowa

Elkhart

Forgan

Ponca City

SEDGWICK

KINGMAN

FINNEY

KIOWA

KEARNY HAMILTON

GRANT

SCOTT

ELLSWORTH

STEVENS

STANTON

HASKELL

GRAY PRATT

SEWARD

GREELEY

PAWNEE

COMANCHE

HARVEY

DICKINSON

NESS

MORTON

SUMNER CLARK

BARTON

SALINE

BARBER

WICHITA

MEADE

RUSH MARION

FORD

HODGEMAN

STAFFORD

LANE

EDWARDS

HARPER

BUTLER

MCPHERSON

RENO

RICE

COWLEY

07144910

07142300

07142575

07144780

07145200

07149000 07151500

07155590

07156900 07157500

102° 101° 100° 99° 98° 97°

38°

37°

07156900

Murdock

Pratt

Zenith

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 2011 National Land Cover Dataset 30-meter resolution 

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridan 96°00’W

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

EXPLANATION

Groundwater-level changes in the High Plains aquifer, predevelopment (about 1950) 

to 2013, in feet

Declines No substantial change Rises

More than 150

100 to 150

50 to100

25 to 50

10 to 25

5 to10

Basin boundary

U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 

 and identifier

-5 to +5 5 to 10

10 to 25

Area of little or no 

 saturated thickness

Eastern extent of

High Plains aquifer

0

0 25 50 MILES

25 50 KILOMETERS
4 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

nine streamgages are available from the USGS National Water 

Information System (NWIS) (U.S. Geological Survey, 2014). 

For each streamgage, annual streamflow characteristics were computed for each water year (October 1 to September 30) during the period of record using daily mean 

streamflow values downloaded from NWIS (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2014). Specific streamflow characteristics computed 

were mean discharge, mean base flow, 90th-percentile flow, 

10th-percentile flow, minimum 7-day mean flow, minimum 

28-day mean flow, number of days of flow less than 1 cubic 

foot per second (ft3/s), and number of zero-flow days. Annual 

mean base flow was computed as the average of daily mean 

base flow values that were estimated using a base flowseparation technique as described by Wahl and Wahl (1995). 

The annual 90th-percentile flow is the daily mean streamflow 

value that is greater than 90 percent of all daily values for a 

given year. The annual 10th-percentile flow is the daily mean 

streamflow value that 10 percent of all daily values are less 

than for a given year. 

Determination of the annual minimum 7- and 28-day 

mean flows involved two steps. First, for each day of the water 

year, the mean 7- and 28-day flows were computed. Each day 

represents the end of the 7- or 28-day period for which the 

means were computed. Second, the mean 7- and 28-day flows 

were compared to determine the minimum 7- and 28-day 

mean flows for each water year. 

To assess the effects of natural and human factors on 

streamflow, information on precipitation and groundwater 

withdrawals was used. Spatially averaged annual precipitation estimates for the basins of the nine selected USGS 

streamgages were derived from Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) monthly precipitation data for 1951 through 2013. The PRISM data are based 

on available data from precipitation stations and interpolation 

with a sophisticated model that incorporates various physical factors including location and elevation (Daly and others, 

2008). Information on groundwater withdrawals was derived 

from a map of groundwater-level changes (predevelopment to 

2013) for the High Plains aquifer (McGuire, 2014). For this 

report, although specific data on groundwater withdrawals are 

not used, the variable groundwater-level declines in the basins 

since predevelopment (fig. 2) are considered indicative of variable amounts of groundwater withdrawals. 

Trends were assessed by computing the coefficient of 

determination (R2) and p-value from linear regression analysis 

using Microsoft Excel® software. The R2 indicates the extent 

to which a dependent variable can be predicted by an independent variable using regression. The R2

 values range from 0, 

which indicates that none of the variance is explained, to 1, 

which indicates that all of the variance is explained. In this 

report, an R2 value greater than 0.5 is considered a strong relation, 0.25 to 0.5 a moderate relation, and less than 0.25 a weak 

relation. The p-value indicates the statistical significance of a 

trend. The p-value is a probability that measures the “believability” of the null hypothesis (in this case, no trend). The 

smaller the p-value, the greater the evidence for rejection of 

the null hypothesis (Helsel and Hirsch, 1992). In this study, a 

trend was considered statistically significant if the p-value was 

less than or equal to 0.05. Throughout the report, statistically 

significant trends are simply referred to as “significant.” 

Table 1. Nine U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in the priority basins used in this study to examine streamflow characteristics and 

trends.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; mi2, square miles]

USGS 

streamgage 

number (fig. 1)

USGS streamgage name Drainage area1,2

(mi2)

Percentage of drainage area 

overlying the High Plains aquifer Period of record

07142300 Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas 723 100 1960–2013

07142575 Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas 1,077 100 1974–2013

07144780 North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney 

Reservoir, Kansas

797 93 1966–2013

07144910 South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas 122 100 1981–2013

07145200 South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, 

Kansas

597 90 1951–2013

07149000 Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas 885 42 1939–2013

07151500 Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas 815 49 1951–2013

07156900 Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma 6,593 70 1966–2013

07157500 Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas 1,416 100 1943–2013

1

Drainage area computed using the watershed boundary dataset component of The National Map (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010).

2

Substantial parts of the Rattlesnake Creek, North Fork Ninnescah River, South Fork Ninnescah River, Cimarron River, and Crooked Creek Basins may be 

noncontributing.
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 5

Streamflow Characteristics and Trends

In this section, results of the streamflow analyses for the 

nine selected streamgages are presented. The order of presentation generally is west to east across the priority basins. From 

west to east, groundwater withdrawals from the High Plains 

aquifer generally decrease and annual precipitation increases. 

Note that the terms discharge, streamflow and flow are used 

interchangeably. 

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma

During the period of record (1966 to 2013) at the 

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, streamgage (station 

07156900, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter referred to as “Forgan”), 

there was a pronounced decrease in the magnitude and variability of annual mean discharge (fig. 3). Most of the decrease 

in magnitude occurred prior to 1985. From the mid-1980s to 

the late 1990s, annual mean discharge was relatively stable. 

Subsequently, annual mean discharge again decreased in 

magnitude. Overall, the variability of annual mean discharge 

decreased from a pre-1980 range of about 60 to 140 ft3/s to a 

post-2000 range of about 20 to 35 ft3/s. The overall decrease in 

magnitude of annual mean discharge was significant (table 2). 

Likewise, there was a significant decrease in annual mean base 

flow (table 2) during the period of record (fig. 3). Concurrently, the percentage of the annual mean discharge that was 

annual mean base flow increased (fig. 3). Since 1980, typically about 80 to 90 percent of the annual mean discharge was 

contributed by base flow. Young and others (2005) determined 

that, in response to groundwater-level declines, the location 

where perennial flow in the Cimarron River begins in Seward 

County, Kansas, has migrated downstream about 15 miles. 

The decrease in discharge magnitude and variability during the period of record at Forgan was evidenced by several 

other streamflow characteristics. Annual 90th-percentile flows 

decreased from about 120 ft3/s to about 30 ft3/s (fig. 4). Annual 

Figure 3. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual 

mean base flow at the Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, 

streamgage (station 07156900), 1966–2013.

No data for 1987

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean discharge

Annual mean base flow

10th-percentile flows decreased from about 50 ft3/s to less 

than 20 ft3/s (fig. 4). Thus, during the period of record, the 

magnitude of both high and low flows decreased. Pronounced 

decreases also were apparent for the annual minimum 7-day 

and 28-day mean flows (fig. 5). During the period of record, 

the minimum 7- and 28-day mean flows decreased from about 

40 to 10 ft3/s and about 50 to 10 ft3/s, respectively. For each 

of these four characteristics, the decrease was significant 

(table 2). 

Given the importance of flow availability for darter 

habitat, the annual occurrence of extreme low flows was investigated. At Forgan, there were no days with a mean flow less 

than 1 ft3/s and no zero-flow days during the period of record; 

however, about 125 river miles upstream at the discontinued USGS streamgage Cimarron River near Elkhart, Kansas 

(station 07155590, period of record 1971 to 2013; fig. 1), 

zero-flow days were typical and occurred 81 percent of the 

time (U.S. Geological Survey, 2014). The discrepancy in flow 

conditions is indicative of the increased contribution of base 

flow to the Cimarron River between the two streamgages. 

Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas

At the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07157500, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter 

referred to as “Englewood”), there was a pronounced decrease 

in the magnitude and variability of annual mean discharge 

(fig. 6) during the period of record (1943 to 2013). The 

decrease in magnitude was significant (table 2) and mostly 

occurred prior to 1980. The pre-1980 annual mean discharge 

ranged from about 10 ft3/s to nearly 180 ft3/s and exceeded 

40 ft3/s about 30 percent of the time. After 1975, variability 

decreased and the annual mean discharge was consistently 

less than 20 ft3/s with a mean of about 10 ft3/s. The observed 

decrease in annual mean base flow during the period of record 

was significant (table 2). Typically, annual mean base flow 

was about 10 ft3/s or less after 1975 (fig. 6). The percentage 

of the annual mean discharge that was annual mean base flow 

increased from a pre-1960 range of about 15 to 50 percent to a 

post-1990 range of about 60 to 90 percent. 

The annual 90th-percentile flows decreased in magnitude and variability during the period of record at Englewood (fig. 7), and the decrease in magnitude was significant 

(table 2). Prior to 1980, annual 90th-percentile flows ranged 

from about 15 ft3/s to more than 300 ft3/s. After 1980, annual 

90th-percentile flows only varied between about 5 and 35 ft3/s. 

For the annual 10th-percentile flows, changes were neither 

apparent nor significant because these flows frequently were at 

or near zero throughout the period of record (fig. 7, table 2). 

Prior to 1975, the annual minimum 28-day mean flow at 

Englewood was somewhat more variable than the post-1975 

period (fig. 8); however, a similar temporal pattern was not 

evident for the annual minimum 7-day mean flow (fig. 8). 

Throughout the period of record, the annual minimum 7- 

and 28-day mean flows generally were less than 10 ft3/s and 
6 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

Table 2. Results of trend tests for annual streamflow characteristics for the nine selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in 

southwest and south-central Kansas.

[E, standard scientific notation for exponent]

Streamflow characteristic p-value Trend

Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma (station 07156900)

Mean discharge 1.48E-12 negative

Mean base flow 7.69E-19 negative

90th-percentile flow 3.84E-16 negative

10th-percentile flow 5.25E-14 negative

Minimum 7-day mean flow 6.79E-10 negative

Minimum 28-day mean flow 1.80E-13 negative

Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas (station 07157500)

Mean discharge 9.60E-06 negative

Mean base flow 5.42E-04 negative

90th-percentile flow 2.42E-05 negative

10th-percentile flow 5.34E-01 none

Minimum 7-day mean flow 5.28E-01 none

Minimum 28-day mean flow 4.20E-01 none

Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas (station 07142300)

Mean discharge 9.98E-04 negative

Mean base flow 2.27E-04 negative

90th-percentile flow 3.26E-03 negative

10th-percentile flow 5.43E-05 negative

Minimum 7-day mean flow 2.65E-04 negative

Minimum 28-day mean flow 1.73E-04 negative

Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas (station 07142575)

Mean discharge 7.42E-02 none

Mean base flow 1.16E-02 negative

90th-percentile flow 2.26E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 3.13E-02 negative

Minimum 7-day mean flow 5.00E-02 negative

Minimum 28-day mean flow 4.47E-02 negative

North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas 

(station 07144780)

Mean discharge 9.62E-01 none

Mean base flow 2.33E-01 none

90th-percentile flow 9.13E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 1.33E-01 none

Minimum 7-day mean flow 7.73E-02 none

Minimum 28-day mean flow 2.42E-01 none

Streamflow characteristic p-value Trend

South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas (station 07144910)

Mean discharge 2.33E-01 none

Mean base flow 1.88E-02 negative

90th-percentile flow 1.25E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 7.65E-02 none

Minimum 7-day mean flow 1.74E-01 none

Minimum 28-day mean flow 2.17E-01 none

South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas 

(station 07145200)

Mean discharge 7.34E-01 none

Mean base flow 4.29E-03 positive

90th-percentile flow 3.01E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 2.39E-02 positive

Minimum 7-day mean flow 1.06E-02 positive

Minimum 28-day mean flow 7.18E-02 none

Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas (station 07149000)

Mean discharge 6.41E-01 none

Mean base flow 9.78E-04 positive

90th-percentile flow 6.76E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 2.64E-02 positive

Minimum 7-day mean flow 1.59E-01 none

Minimum 28-day mean flow 1.33E-01 none

Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas (station 07151500)

Mean discharge 1.50E-01 none

Mean base flow 1.74E-03 positive

90th-percentile flow 2.38E-01 none

10th-percentile flow 1.89E-02 positive

Minimum 7-day mean flow 7.71E-03 positive

Minimum 28-day mean flow 8.63E-02 none

typically were less than 4 ft3/s. For both streamflow characteristics, a significant trend was not indicated (fig. 8, table 2).

The annual occurrence of extremely low-flow (less than 

1 ft3/s) and zero-flow days varied considerably at Englewood 

during the period of record. The annual number of extremely 

low-flow days typically varied between 0 and 60 (fig. 9A); 

however, in six years (1952, 1954, 1956, 2011, 2012, 2013) 

there were more than 80 such days. The annual number of 

zero-flow days typically varied between 0 and 50 (fig. 9B). 

Between 1980 and 2010, zero-flow days rarely occurred. 

Extremely low-flow and zero-flow days most commonly 

occurred at Englewood during the months of June, July, 

August, and September. 
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 7

Figure 4. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, 

streamgage (station 07156900), 1966–2013.

No data for 1987

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10th percentile

90th percentile

Figure 7. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013.

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

90th percentile

10th percentile

Figure 5. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma, streamgage 

(station 07156900), 1966–2013.

No data for 1987

0

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10

20

30

40

50

60

28-day mean

7-day mean

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

28-day mean

7-day mean

Figure 8. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07157500), 1943–2013.

Figure 6. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual 

mean base flow at the Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013.

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean base flow

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Annual mean discharge
8 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas

During the period of record (1960 to 2013) at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, streamgage (station 

07142300, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter referred to as “Macksville”), there was a decrease in the magnitude and variability 

of annual mean discharge (fig. 10). Prior to 1985, annual mean 

discharge ranged from about 6 ft3/s to about 110 ft3/s. After 

1985, annual mean discharge ranged from nearly 0 to about 

35 ft3/s. Observed decreases in both annual mean discharge 

and annual mean base flow were significant during the period 

of record (table 2). The percentage of the annual mean discharge that was annual mean base flow varied considerably 

from year to year with no pronounced trend. Typically, annual 

mean base flow accounted for 40 to 90 percent of the annual 

mean discharge. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

A

B

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1943

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2013

Number of days

Water year

Figure 9. Variation at the Crooked Creek near Englewood, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07157500), 1943–2013. A, annual 

number of days with mean discharge less than 1 cubic foot per 

second. B, annual number of zero-flow days.

Figure 10. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean 

base flow at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07142300), 1960–2013.

The annual 90th- and 10th-percentile flows also 

decreased in magnitude and variability during the period of 

record at Macksville (fig. 11). For the 90th-percentile flows, 

the pre-1985 range was about 10 to 140 ft3/s, whereas the post1985 range was about zero to 55 ft3

/s. After 1985, the 10thpercentile flows were at or near zero in 19 of 29 years. The 

decrease for both streamflow characteristics during the period 

of record was significant (table 2). 

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean base flow

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Annual mean discharge

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10th percentile

0

20

40

60

80

100

160

120

140

90th percentile

Figure 11. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07142300), 1960–2013.

Annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows were 

similar during the period of record, and both exhibited more 

variability before 1985 (fig. 12). The pre-1985 and post-1985 

ranges for the minimum 7- and 28-day mean flows were 0 to 

about 35 ft3

/s and 0 to about 20 ft3/s, respectively. Typically, 

the post-1985 minimum 7- and 28-day mean flows were less 

than 5 ft3/s and frequently were at or near zero. During the 

period of record, a significant decrease was indicated for both 

streamflow characteristics (table 2). 
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 9

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

7-day mean

0

5

10

15

20

25

40

30

35 28-day mean

Figure 12. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day 

mean flows at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07142300), 1960–2013.

At Macksville, days with extremely low flow (less than 

1 ft3/s) or zero flow were rare before 1980 (fig. 13). Since 

1980, such days have been a frequent occurrence. During the 

20 years prior to 1980, extremely low-flow days only occurred 

in 2 years; however, since 1980, extremely low-flow days 

occurred in 26 of 33 years. Moreover, since 1980, 19 years 

had more than 50 days with extremely low flow (fig. 13A). No 

zero-flow days occurred before 1980. After 1980, zero-flow 

days occurred in 14 of 33 years. Since 2000, 9 of 13 years 

had more than 50 zero-flow days and 5 years had more than 

100 zero-flow days (fig. 13B). Although extremely low-flow 

and zero-flow days occurred in all months, they most commonly occurred in July, August, September, October, and 

November. 

Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas

The Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07142575, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter referred to as 

“Zenith”), is located about 68 stream miles downstream from 

the Macksville streamgage (fig. 1). The drainage basin at 

Zenith is about 354 square miles (49 percent) larger than at 

Macksville (table 1). 

At Zenith, the annual mean discharge decreased from 

1974 to 1985. After 1985, the annual mean discharge fluctuated generally between about 5 and 80 ft3

/s with no pronounced trend (fig. 14). An exception was 1993 when the 

annual mean discharge was about 185 ft3/s. Overall, for the 

period of record (1974 to 2013), a significant trend in annual 

mean discharge was not indicated (table 2). For annual mean 

base flow, which was characterized by considerable year-toyear variability, a significant negative (downward) trend was 

indicated for the period of record (table 2). The most pronounced decrease in annual mean base flow occurred prior to 

1985 (fig. 14). The percentage of the annual mean discharge 

that was annual mean base flow also was characterized by 

substantial year-to-year variability. Typically, annual mean 

base flow accounted for 40 to 80 percent of the annual mean 

discharge. 

The historical pattern indicated for the annual mean 

discharge also was apparent for the annual 90th- and 

10th-percentile flows (fig. 15). After 1985, the 90th-percentile 

flows ranged between about 10 and 240 ft3

/s and typically 

were less than 100 ft3/s. Concurrently, the 10th-percentile 

flows ranged between zero and about 35 ft3/s with a mean of 

8 ft3/s. During the period of record, a significant trend was not 

indicated for the 90th-percentile flows; however, a significant 

decrease was indicated for the 10th-percentile flows (table 2). 

The annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows also 

decreased from 1974 to 1985 and subsequently fluctuated 

(fig. 16). During the period of record, the minimum 7- and 

28-day mean flows typically were similar. After 1985, the 

minimum 7- and 28-day mean flows ranged from zero to 

30 ft3/s and were less than 5 ft3/s in 21 of 29 years. For both 

streamflow characteristics, a significant decrease was indicated 

during the period of record (table 2). 

A

B

Number of days

Water year

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2013

Figure 13. Variation at the Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07142300), 1960–2013. A, annual 

number of days with mean discharge less than 1 cubic foot per 

second. B, annual number of zero-flow days.
10 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean base flow

Annual mean discharge

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Figure 14. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual 

mean base flow at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07142575), 1974–2013.

Figure 15. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07142575), 1974–2013. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10th percentile

0

90th percentile

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

7-day mean

0

5

28-day mean

10

15

20

25

30

35

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Figure 16. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07142575), 1974–2013. 

Days with extremely low flow (less than 1 ft3/s) or zero 

flow were an infrequent occurrence during the period of record 

at Zenith. Only 5 years (1984, 1991, 1992, 2011, and 2012) 

had more than 30 days of extremely low flow (fig. 17A). Only 

2012 had more than 30 zero-flow days (fig. 17B). Extremely 

low-flow and zero-flow days typically occurred in August, 

September, and October. 

A

B

Number of days 

Water year

1974197519801985199019952000200520102013

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Figure 17. Variation at the Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07142575), 1974–2013. A, annual 

number of days with mean discharge less than 1 cubic foot per 

second. B, annual number of zero-flow days.

North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney 

Reservoir, Kansas

During the period of record (1966 to 2013) at the North 

Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07144780, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter 

referred to as “Ninnescah”), there was not a significant trend 

in annual mean discharge or annual mean base flow (fig. 18, 

table 2); however, prior to 2000, the variability in annual mean 

discharge was greater. Before 2000, annual mean discharge 

ranged from about 50 ft3/s to about 390 ft3/s and exceeded 

250 ft3/s five times. After 2000, annual mean discharge ranged 

from about 50 ft3

/s to about 220 ft3/s and typically was less 
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 11

than 160 ft3/s. Annual mean base flow during the period of 

record ranged between about 35 and 125 ft3/s. Typically, 

annual mean base flow accounted for 30 to 75 percent of the 

annual mean discharge. 

Figure 18. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual 

mean base flow at the North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney 

Reservoir, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144780), 1966–2013.

For the annual 90th- and 10th-percentile flows, a significant trend was not indicated (fig. 19, table 2). During 

the period of record, the 90th-percentile flows ranged from 

about 100 ft3/s to about 600 ft3/s and typically were less than 

350 ft3/s. Concurrently, the 10th-percentile flows ranged from 

about 4 ft3/s to about 90 ft3/s and frequently were less than 

30 ft3/s. 

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean base flow

Annual mean discharge

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Figure 19. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney 

Reservoir, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144780), 1966–2013. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10th percentile

90th percentile

0

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

A significant trend was not indicated for the annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows at Ninnescah during the 

period of record (fig. 20, table 2); however, there was a notable 

increase in variability beginning in the mid-1980s. From 

1966 to the early 1980s, the minimum 7- and 28-day mean 

flows varied between zero and about 25 ft3/s. Subsequently, 

the minimum 7- and 28-day mean flows varied between zero 

and about 100 ft3/s with 7 years having minimum mean flows 

greater than 30 ft3/s. 

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

7-day mean

28-day mean

0

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

20

40

60

80

100

120

Figure 20. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07144780), 1966–2013.

At Ninnescah, days with extremely low flow (less than 

1 ft3/s) or zero flow were a rare occurrence. Extremely low 

flows were measured only in 1966 (7 days), 1968 (1 day), and 

2012 (20 days). Zero-flow days were measured only in 1966 

(1 day) and 2012 (5 days). 

South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas

At the South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, streamgage (station 07144910, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter 

referred to as “Pratt”), annual mean discharge exhibited pronounced year-to-year variability during the period of record 

(1981 to 2013) with no significant trend (fig. 21, table 2); 

however, following the peak year of 1997, there was a possible negative trend. Typically, annual mean discharge ranged 

between 10 and 30 ft3/s. For annual mean base flow, which 

averaged about 9 ft3/s, a significant decrease was indicated 

during the period of record (fig. 21, table 2). Annual mean 

base flow typically accounted for 40 to 80 percent of the 

annual mean discharge. 

The annual 90th- and 10th-percentile flows at Pratt were 

characterized by year-to-year variability with no significant trend (fig. 22, table 2). During the period of record, the 

90th- and 10th-percentile flows averaged about 18 and 6 ft3

/s, 

respectively. 
12 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

Figure 21. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean 

base flow at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07144910), 1981–2013. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual mean discharge

Annual mean base flow

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Figure 22. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07144910), 1981–2013.

The annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows were 

variable with no significant trend during the period of record 

(fig. 23, table 2). With few exceptions, the minimum 7-day and 

28-day mean flows ranged between 2 and 7 ft3/s. Days with 

extremely low flow (less than 1 ft3/s) were rare at Pratt as only 

three such days were recorded in 1990. No zero-flow days 

occurred during the period of record. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

90th percentile

10th percentile

0

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

28-day mean

7-day mean

0

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Figure 23. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07144910), 1981–2013.

South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, 

Kansas

The South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas, streamgage (station 07145200, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter 

referred to as “Murdock”), is located about 67 river miles 

downstream from the Pratt streamgage (fig. 1). The drainage 

basin at Murdock is about 475 square miles (389 percent) 

larger than at Pratt (table 1). 

At Murdock, annual mean discharge varied considerably 

during the period of record (1951–2013) with no significant 

trend (fig. 24, table 2). Generally, annual mean discharge 

ranged between 100 and 350 ft3/s. For annual mean base flow, 

which ranged between about 60 and 165 ft3/s, a significant 

increase was indicated during the period of record (fig. 24, 

table 2). Annual mean base flow typically accounted for 40 to 

80 percent of the annual mean discharge. Compared to Pratt, 

annual mean discharge and annual mean base flow at Murdock 

were an order of magnitude larger. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Annual mean discharge

Annual mean base flow

No data 1960–64

Figure 24. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean 

base flow at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07145200), 1951–2013.
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 13

The annual 90th- and 10th-percentile flows at Murdock 

were characterized by year-to-year variability (fig. 25). During the period of record, the 90th-percentile flows ranged 

from 130 to 675 ft3/s with a mean of 309 ft3/s. Concurrently, 

the 10th-percentile flows ranged from 17 to 136 ft3/s with a 

mean of 73 ft3/s. No significant trend was indicated for the 

90th-percentile flows; however, a significant increase was 

indicated for the 10th-percentile flows (fig. 25, table 2). Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

90th percentile

10th percentile

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No data 1960–64

Figure 25. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07145200), 1951–2013.

During the period of record, the annual minimum 7-day 

and 28-day mean flows were variable and typically ranged 

between 20 and 90 ft3/s (fig. 26). A significant increase was 

indicated for the minimum 7-day mean flows; however, no 

significant trend was indicated for the minimum 28-day mean 

flows (table 2). No extremely low-flow (less than 1 ft3/s) or 

zero-flow days occurred during the period of record. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No data 1960–64

28-day mean

20 7-day mean

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Figure 26. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07145200), 1951–2013.

Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas

At the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07149000, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter 

referred to as “Kiowa”), annual mean discharge varied considerably with no significant trend during the period of record 

(1939 to 2013) (fig. 27, table 2). Annual mean discharge 

ranged from about 35 ft3/s in 1964 to nearly 500 ft3/s in 1949. 

For the period of record, a significant increase in annual mean 

base flow was indicated (table 2). Since 1960, annual mean 

base flow ranged from about 30 ft3/s to about 180 ft3/s and 

typically accounted for 40 to 80 percent of the annual mean 

discharge. Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

No data 1951–54, 1956–59

100

200

300

400

500

600

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Annual mean discharge

Annual mean

base flow

Figure 27. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean 

base flow at the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07149000), 1939–2013.

A significant trend was not indicated for the annual 

90th-percentile flows (fig. 28, table 2). During the period of 

record, the 90th-percentile flows typically ranged between 80 

and 400 ft3/s; however, for 5 years (1949, 1973, 1987, 1997, 

and 1999), the 90th-percentile flow was about 575 ft3/s or 

greater. For the period of record, a significant increase was 

indicated for the annual 10th-percentile flows (table 2). The 

10th-percentile flows ranged from zero to about 140 ft3

/s and 

typically were less than 50 ft3/s. 
14 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

No data 1951–54, 

1956–59

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

90th percentile

10th percentile

Figure 28. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07149000), 1939–2013.

Since 1960, with the notable exceptions of 1987 and 

1997, the annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean flows generally ranged from zero to 30 ft3

/s (fig. 29). During the period 

of record, a significant trend for these streamflow characteristics was not indicated (table 2). Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

0

No data 1951–54, 

1956–59

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

28-day mean

7-day mean

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Figure 29. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day 

mean flows at the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07149000), 1939–2013.

The occurrence of extremely low-flow (less than 1 ft3/s) 

and zero-flow days at Kiowa varied during the period of 

record. Extremely low-flow days were relatively frequent prior 

to 1960, infrequent between 1960 and 1980, rare between 

1980 and 2010, and frequent since 2010 (fig. 30A). Zero-flow 

days had a similar pattern of occurrence (fig. 30B). Typically, 

extremely low and zero-flow days occurred in July, August, 

September, and October. 

B

A

Number of days 

Water year

1940

1939

194519501955196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102013

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

No data

1951−54, 

1956−59

No data

1951−54, 

1956−59

Figure 30. Variation at the Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, 

Kansas, streamgage (station 07149000), 1939–2013. A, annual 

number of days with mean discharge less than 1 cubic foot per 

second. B, annual number of zero-flow days.

Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas

During the period of record (1951 to 2013) at the 

Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage (station 

07151500, fig. 1, table 1) (hereafter referred to as “Corbin”), 

annual mean discharge exhibited substantial year-to-year variability with no significant trend (fig. 31, table 2). Annual mean 

discharge ranged from 40 ft3/s in 1954 to more than 500 ft3/s 

in six different years. A significant increase was indicated for 

annual mean base flow during the period of record (table 2). 

Annual mean base flow ranged from about 20 ft3/s in the mid1950s to about 220 ft3

/s in 1999. Since the late 1970s, annual 

mean base flow typically accounted for 30 to 60 percent of the 

annual mean discharge. 
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends 15

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

Annual 

mean 

base 

flow

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No data 

1966−75

Annual mean discharge

Figure 31. Variation in annual mean discharge and annual mean 

base flow at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07151500), 1951–2013.

Pronounced year-to-year variability with no significant 

trend was exhibited by the annual 90th-percentile flows during 

the period of record (fig. 32, table 2). Since the late 1970s, 

the 90th-percentile flows ranged from about 90 ft3/s to more 

than 1,100 ft3/s. Concurrently, the annual 10th-percentile flows 

ranged from less than 5 ft3/s to about 130 ft3/s and typically 

were less than 50 ft3/s. For the period of record, a significant 

increase was indicated for the 10th-percentile flows (table 2). Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

10th

percentile

0

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No data 1966−75

90th percentile

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Figure 32. Variation in annual 90th- and 10th-percentile 

streamflows at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07151500), 1951–2013.

At Corbin, the annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows were characterized by pronounced year-to-year variability during the period of record (fig. 33). Since the late 1970s, 

the minimum 7-day mean flows ranged from near zero to 

about 105 ft3/s. Concurrently, the minimum 28-day mean flows 

ranged from about 1 ft3/s to about 165 ft3/s. For the period of 

record, a significant increase was indicated for the minimum 

7-day mean flows; however, no significant trend was indicated 

for the minimum 28-day mean flows (table 2). 

Discharge, in cubic feet per second

Water year

7-day 

mean

0

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

No data 1966−75

28-day mean

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Figure 33. Variation in annual minimum 7-day and 28-day mean 

flows at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, streamgage 

(station 07151500), 1951–2013.

Days with extremely low flow (less than 1 ft3/s) or zero 

flow at Corbin primarily occurred during the drought of the 

mid-1950s (fig. 34). Subsequently, such days have been a rare 

occurrence. 

A

B

Number of days 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Water year

1951

1955196019651970

1975

1980198519901995200020052010

2013

No data 1966−75

No data 1966−75

Figure 34. Variation at the Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas, 

streamgage (station 07151500), 1951–2013. A, annual number of 

days with mean discharge less than 1 cubic foot per second. 

B, annual number of zero-flow days. 
16 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

Effects of Natural and Human Factors 

on Streamflow

Streamflow in the priority basins is affected by natural 

and human factors. The primary natural factor is precipitation, 

which contributes to streamflow directly by surface runoff 

and indirectly by the processes of infiltration, groundwater 

recharge, and base flow (Hornberger and others, 1998). 

Important human factors include groundwater withdrawal for 

irrigated agriculture and land-management practices (Juckem 

and others, 2008; Falke and others, 2011; Wang and Hejazi, 

2011). These factors were evaluated as possible explanations 

for the streamflow conditions and trends observed in the priority basins. 

Spatially averaged annual precipitation in the priority 

basins was characterized by substantial year-to-year variability from 1951 to 2013 with no pronounced long-term trends 

(fig. 35); however, at Murdock, a weak yet significant positive 

(upward) trend was indicated (R2 = 0.08, p-value = 0.0268). 

Although a pronounced change in annual precipitation was not 

evident in the priority basins, it is possible that the delivery 

of the precipitation changed. For example, a change in the 

characteristics of the largest storms (size, frequency, duration, 

or intensity) could, in part, account for changes in the largest 

streamflows. 

The relation between annual precipitation and annual 

mean discharge for each of the priority basins was statistically 

evaluated using R2 and p-values. As described below, the relation varied substantially among the basins. 

In the Cimarron River Basin, a long-term (multidecadal) 

decrease in annual mean discharge was evident particularly at 

Forgan (fig. 3) and also at Englewood (fig. 6). At both sites, 

the decrease was significant (table 2). Because there was not 

a concurrent long-term decrease in annual precipitation in the 

basin (figs. 35A and 35B), a precipitation-related explanation 

for the long-term decrease in discharge was not supported. 

The relation between discharge and precipitation was virtually nonexistent at Forgan (R2

 = 0.01, p-value = 0.628). At 

Englewood the relation was weak but significant (R2 = 0.18, 

p-value = 4.94E-4). 

In the Rattlesnake Creek Basin, a pre-1985 decrease in 

annual mean discharge was indicated at Macksville and Zenith 

(figs. 10 and 14). As in the Cimarron River Basin, there was 

not a concurrent decrease in annual precipitation in the basin 

(figs. 35C and 35D). Thus, a precipitation-related explanation 

for the pre-1985 decrease in discharge was not supported. For 

the period of record, there was a significant decrease in annual 

mean discharge at Macksville but not at Zenith (table 2). The 

relation between discharge and precipitation was weak yet 

significant at Macksville (R2 = 0.12, p-value = 9.72E-3) and 

Zenith (R2 = 0.11, p-value = 3.49E-2). 

For the four remaining priority basins, annual mean 

discharge varied substantially with no pronounced trend 

(figs. 18, 21, 24, 27, and 31, table 2). The relation between 

discharge and precipitation, in relative terms, was moderate 

Figure 35. Variation in annual precipitation for the basins of the 

nine selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages including the 

coefficient of determination (R2) and p-value associated with the 

relation between precipitation and time. A, Cimarron River near 

Forgan, Oklahoma (07156900). B, Crooked Creek near Englewood, 

Kansas (07157500). C, Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas 

(07142300).

and significant at Ninnescah (R2 = 0.32, p-value = 2.38E-5) 

and Pratt (R2 = 0.34, p-value = 4.05E-4). The relation between 

discharge and precipitation was relatively strong and significant at Murdock (R2

 = 0.55, p-value = 2.48E-11), Kiowa 

(R2 = 0.57, p-value = 3.36E-11), and Corbin (R2 = 0.70, 

p-value = 4.26E-15). 

Groundwater withdrawals can cause groundwater-level 

declines that result in decreased contributions of groundwater 

to streams (that is, base flow) and thus a decrease in, or cessation of, streamflow (Winter and others, 1998; Winter, 2007; 

Falke and others, 2011). Within a basin, the greater the amount 

of groundwater withdrawal, the greater the potential will be 

R2 = 0.00

p-value = 0.913

Coefficient of determination (R2

) = 0.02

p-value = 0.302

R2 = 0.02

p-value = 0.239

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Precipitation, in inches Precipitation, in inches Precipitation, in inches

A. Cimarron River near Forgan, Oklahoma (07156900)

B. Crooked Creek near Englewood, Kansas (07157500)

C. Rattlesnake Creek near Macksville, Kansas (07142300)

19511955196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102013

Water year
Effects of Natural and Human Factors on Streamflow 17

Figure 35. Variation in annual precipitation for the basins of the nine selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages including the 

coefficient of determination (R2) and p-value associated with the relation between precipitation and time.—Continued 

D, Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas (07142575). E, North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas (07144780). 

F, South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas (07144910). G, South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas (07145200). 

H, Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas (07149000). I, Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas (07151500). (Source: Daly and 

others, 2008)

for a decrease in streamflow. Such a relation was evident in 

some of the priority basins. 

Among the priority basins, the largest groundwater-level 

changes associated with groundwater withdrawals were in the 

Cimarron River Basin where extensive areas had groundwaterlevel declines of 50 to 150 ft or more (fig. 2). Correspondingly, 

the most pronounced decreases in annual mean discharge, both 

in terms of magnitude and variability, also were measured in 

this basin. The significant decreases in annual mean discharge, 

accompanied by significant decreases in annual mean base 

flow, were evident throughout the period of record at Forgan 

and Englewood (figs. 3 and 6, table 2). Previously, Young and 

others (2005) concluded that groundwater-level declines were 

the primary cause of long-term flow decreases in the Cimarron 

River. Dodds and others (2004) attributed the decline in flow 

of multiple Great Plains streams to groundwater pumping from 

the High Plains aquifer. 

Parts of the Rattlesnake Creek Basin had groundwaterlevel declines of 10 to 25 ft or more (fig. 2). In this basin, a 

pre-1985 decrease in annual mean discharge was evident at 

Macksville and Zenith (figs. 10 and 14) that may have been 

caused, at least in part, by groundwater-level declines. During 

the period of record, there was a significant decrease in annual 

mean discharge at Macksville but not Zenith (table 2). Similar 

groundwater-level declines occurred in the upstream-most part 

of the North Fork and South Fork Ninnescah River Basins 

(fig. 2); however, an associated significant decrease in annual 

mean discharge was not indicated at Ninnescah (fig. 18, 

19511955196019651970197519801985199019952000200520102013

Precipitation, in inches Precipitation, in inches Precipitation, in inches

R2 = 0.06

p-value = 0.0552 R2

 = 0.02

p-value = 0.233

R2

 = 0.05

p-value = 0.0680

Water year

D. Rattlesnake Creek near Zenith, Kansas (07142575) E. North Fork Ninnescah River above Cheney Reservoir, Kansas (07144780)

 F. South Fork Ninnescah River near Pratt, Kansas (07144910) 

Water year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1951

1955196019651970197519801985199019952000

200520102013

R2 = 0.05

p-value = 0.0835

R2

 = 0.08

p-value = 0.0268

R2

 = 0.06

p-value = 0.0515

G. South Fork Ninnescah River near Murdock, Kansas (07145200)

H. Medicine Lodge River near Kiowa, Kansas (07149000) I. Chikaskia River near Corbin, Kansas (07151500) 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50
18 Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas

table 2), Pratt (fig. 21, table 2), or Murdock (fig. 24, table 2). 

At least two possible explanations may, in part, account for the 

absence of streamflow decreases in these two basins. First, the 

part of the basin where groundwater-level declines occurred 

was limited in terms of magnitude and areal extent. Second, 

any effect of the groundwater-level declines may have been 

partially offset by groundwater-level increases in the central 

part of each basin (fig. 2). 

Within the Medicine Lodge and Chikaskia River Basins, 

groundwater-level changes associated with groundwater withdrawals from the High Plains aquifer generally were minimal (fig. 2). Annual mean discharge in these two basins was 

characterized by substantial year-to-year variability at Kiowa 

and Corbin with no significant long-term trend (figs. 27 and 

31, table 2). 

In the priority basins where streamflow has decreased, 

land-management practices possibly were a contributing 

factor. For example, in crop production areas, the use of 

conservation-farming methods (for example, no-till) and more 

efficient irrigation practices can reduce runoff (Sophocleous, 

1998; Aguilar, 2009). Water consumption by Tamarix (tamarisk, also known as saltcedar), an introduced invasive species 

(Brock, 1994), also may be a contributing factor to decreased 

streamflows; however, the effect of tamarisk on streamflow is 

debatable (Hultine and others, 2010). 

The relation among annual precipitation, groundwaterlevel changes, and annual mean discharge for the nine selected 

USGS streamgages is summarized in figure 36. As shown, the 

most pronounced decreases in annual mean discharge during 

Figure 36. Groundwater-level changes and trends in annual precipitation 

and annual mean discharge for the nine selected U.S. Geological Survey 

streamgages in southwest and south-central Kansas.

Streamgage number

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Percentage of basin

07142300

(Macksville)

07142575

(Zenith)

07144780

(Ninnescah)

07144910

(Pratt)

07145200

(Murdock)

07149000

(Kiowa)

07151500

(Corbin)

07156900

(Forgan)

07157500

(Englewood)

EXPLANATION

Short black downward arrow indicates a significant 

negative trend (p-value less than 0.05) that was 

not graphically pronounced 

Long black downward arrow indicates a significant 

negative trend (p-value less than 0.05) that was 

graphically pronounced

Horizontal line indicates no statistically 

significant trend (p-value greater 

than 0.05)

Trend during the period of record for 

annual mean discharge (thick 

horizontal black line or black arrow)

Trend during the period of record for 

annual precipitation (thick horizontal 

green line or green arrow)

Percent of basin with greater than 

10-foot decline in groundwater 

levels

Percent of basin with greater than 

50-foot decline in groundwater 

levels

Short green upward arrow indicates a significant 

positive trend (p-value less than 0.05) that was 

not graphically pronounced
References Cited 19

the period of record occurred at the two streamgages for which 

the largest groundwater-level declines were measured in the 

upstream basin; namely, Forgan (Cimarron River) and Englewood (Crooked Creek) (fig. 2). Upstream from Forgan and 

Englewood, areas with groundwater-level declines in excess of 

50 ft covered about 1,412 and 793 square miles, respectively. 

Summary and Conclusions

A 1.5-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in 

cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, was begun 

in 2014 to provide an assessment of streamflow characteristics 

and trends at nine selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 

sites in southwest and south-central Kansas. The intent of the 

assessment was to provide some of the information needed 

to better understand hydrologic conditions in priority basins 

thereby enabling more effective management of Etheostoma 

cragini (Arkansas darter) habitats and populations in the State. 

Results of the assessment are summarized below: 

1. In the Cimarron River Basin, there was a statistically 

significant decrease in annual mean discharge during 

the period of record. Concurrently, the percentage of the 

annual mean discharge that was contributed by base flow 

increased. 

2. In the Rattlesnake Creek Basin, there was a pre-1985 

decrease in annual mean discharge. 

3. In the Cimarron River and Rattlesnake Creek Basins, 

significant decreases typically were indicated for mean 

base flow, 90th-percentile flow, 10th-percentile flow, 

minimum 7-day mean flow, and minimum 28-day mean 

flow during the period of record. 

4. In the North Fork Ninnescah, South Fork Ninnescah, 

Medicine Lodge, and Chikaskia River Basins, no significant trend in annual mean discharge was indicated 

during the period of record. 

5. For the Medicine Lodge and Chikaskia River Basins as 

well as the downstream part of the South Fork Ninnescah River Basin, a significant increase in mean base flow 

and 10th-percentile flow was indicated during the period 

of record. Also, for the latter two basins, a significant 

increase was indicated for minimum 7-day mean flow. 

6. Because annual precipitation in the study area varied 

substantially from 1951 to 2013 with no pronounced 

long-term trend, a precipitation-related explanation for 

the decrease in annual mean discharge in the Cimarron 

River and Rattlesnake Creek Basins was not supported. 

7. Given that the most pronounced decreases in annual 

mean discharge were located in the basin with the largest 

groundwater-level declines (that is, the Cimarron River 

Basin), both in terms of magnitude and areal extent, it is 

likely that groundwater withdrawals were a primary, if 

not dominant, causative factor. 

8. For all basins, the occurrence of extremely low-flow 

(less than 1 cubic foot per second) and zero-flow days 

varied year-to-year and typically occurred in the summer 

and autumn. 

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hydrologic indices of unregulated Kansas streams: Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State University, Dissertation, 104 p. 

Brock, J.H., 1994, Tamarix spp. (Salt Cedar), an invasive 

exotic woody plant in arid and semi-arid riparian habitats of 

western USA, chap. 4 of de Waal, L.C., Child, L.E., Wade, 

P.M., and Brock, J.H., eds., Ecology and management of 

invasive riverside plants: New York, John Wiley & Sons, 

p. 27–44. 

Daly, C., Halbleib, M., Smith, J.I., Gibson, W.P., Doggett, 

M.K., Taylor, G.H., Curtis, J., and Pasteris, P.P., 2008, 

Physiographically sensitive mapping of climatological 

temperature and precipitation across the conterminous 

United States: International Journal of Climatology, v. 28, 

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Dodds, W.K., Gido, K., Whiles, M.R., Fritz, K.M., and Matthews, W.J., 2004, Life on the edge—The ecology of Great 

Plains prairie streams: BioScience, v. 54, p. 205–216. 

Eberle, M.E., and Stark, W.J., 2000, Status of the Arkansas 

darter in south-central Kansas and adjacent Oklahoma: The 

Prairie Naturalist, v. 32, p. 103–113. 

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D.S., Riley, L.K., and Oad, R., 2011, The role of groundwater pumping and drought in shaping ecological futures 

for stream fishes in a dryland river basin of the western 

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Weeks, J.B., 1984, Geohydrology of the High Plains aquifer 

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water resources: Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers, 

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change on streamflow in the driftless area of Wisconsin: 

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p. 15–25. 

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B.B., 2005, Hydrogeologic characteristics and hydrologic 

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Publishing support provided by: 

Rolla Publishing Service Center

For additional information concerning this publication, contact: 

Director, USGS Kansas Water Science Center 

4821 Quail Crest Place 

Lawrence, KS 66049 

(785) 842–9909

Or visit the Kansas Water Science Center Web site at: 

http://ks.water.usgs.gov
ISSN 2328-0328 (online)

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155167

Juracek—Streamflow Characteristics and Trends at Selected Streamgages in Southwest and South-Central Kansas—SIR 2015–5167