The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-24
Published in The Topeka State journal,
March "a 19lTl
HOUSE I'LL NO. sI7.

AN ACT relating to floods, drainage. water
! irrigation, and providing for state con-
| troll of all matters relating thereto and
providing for Water Commission In
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the
State OF Kansas:
Section i. A commission which shall be
known as the Kansas Water Commission
is hereby created for the purpose OF in
Vestigating and controlling the problems
of flood prevention, drainage, dome site
ter supply, water power. navigation and
irrigation in the state of Kansas. But said
commission shall not Interfere with any
/ drainage system now established in drain
age districts created under existing laws.
Sec. 2. The Kansas Water Commission
which the governor shall be ex officio
chairman. and two civil engineers, who
sociate members of the American Society of
Civil Engineers, and shall be appointed
by the governor TO hold office for four
years, or until their successors are APP
pointed and qualified and who shall be
eligible for reappointment and may be re-
moved at any time by the governor for
cause only. As soon as this act shall be
in force, the governor shall appoint one
member whose term of office shall expire
January list, 1921 and one member whose
term shall expire January list, 1919; there
after the governor shall appoint one mem
odd-numbered year and whose term of Of
flee shall expire on the first day of January
four years thereafter. The member of said
commission shall serve without salary or
other compensation. but the members there
of shall be allowed their actual travelling
expenses when on official business of the
| commission. Employees of the state may
| be appointed members of this commission
without Yachting their positions or without
change of compensation.
| Sec. 3. This commission is hereby
authorized to secure such expert assistance,
| clerical and other help, and at such COIN
| pensation as may be necessary to properly
carry out the provisions of this act
| Sec. T. As soon as practical after organ
ization the commission shall in conjunction
with the federal government by way of
securing financial and professional aid and
assistance. work out a systematic general
| plan for the complete development of each
watershed in the state in order to secure
the most ADVANTAGEOUS adjustment Of the
! interest involved in matters OF floods,
drainage. irrigation, water power and navl-
cation. Where any department of the fed
be engaged in the development of plans.
effeeting any of the subjects referred to
! in this act this commission may cooperate
with such federal department. Water de-
velopment of all kinds throughout the
state shall conform to the general plans
adopted by the commission.
| Sec s. This commission is hereby
authorized and directed to establish and
maintain river gauging stations and to
as may be necessary to complete knowl-
edge Of the subjects herein assigned to 1t
'o Sec. 6. The following principles shall
guide the commission in its decisions and
plans: ta) Surface or underground waters
era government by civic decisions. by cor
porations. and by Individuals upon appli-
cation to the commission and in accordance
with the rules and regulations it may pre-
scribe. Such appropriation shall not COM
stitute absolute ownership of such, waters,
but shall remain subject to the principle
of beneficial use. Obj Where appropria-
lions of water for different purposes con-
flict they shall take precedence In the fol-
lowing order. namely: domestic and trans
portation water supply, irrigation, indus
| trial uses, water power. In each Of these
decisions prior application is to govern in
making al1otments. (e) Appropriation in
excess of the reasonable needs of the APP
perpetrators not to be allowed. Id Waters
appropriated for irrigation aH to become
anpurtenant to the lands to which they are
applied. and underground waters for all
purposes to become appurtenant to the
| lands under which they flow.
Sec. Z. The commission shall study the
| laws of the state relating to floods, drain :
age and irrigation with a view to making
such revisions may be necessary to ac-
complish the ends prescribed in this act.
and they shall report the results of their in
vestigation and make such recommended
I tions as they may deem proper to the legis-
lature from time to time.
Sec. s. The commission and its agents
shall have the power of entry on private
| lands for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this act.
Sec g. All money now in the state