Watershed Protection River Community Education Natural History Conservation Wetland Restoration Water Quality Protection Partnerships Diversity Non-Profit Kansas 412 East 9th Street, Lawrence 66044 phone 785-840-0700

Wakarusa WRAPS

The Upper Wakarusa WRAPS* is several things. On paper, it is a plan for prolonging the usability of Clinton Lake for water supply. In reality it is many people working together to restore some of the watershed’s natural ability to protect creeks and streams. It’s also layers of communities, utilities, and governing bodies finding ways to cooperate across traditional boundaries so that 20 years from now Clinton Lake is still a viable water supply.

*WRAPS = Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy.

The Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance initiated the WRAPS project in the Upper Wakarusa River Valley. Between October 2000 - September 2007 the Alliance focused on developing the capacity of the watershed to support ongoing, locally-led lake protection. In 2007 the UWW WRAPS Coordination was transferred to the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS).

KVHA will continue building awareness of the watershed’s cultural and natural resources, and facilitating partnership projects that protect and conserve those resources.

KVHA - WRAPS Grant History

February 2006 to September 2007 Upper Wakarusa WRAPS Implementation Pt. 2 KS WRAPS 2005-0067 (KDHE & KWO)

This project helped solidify the UWW WRAPS Leadership Team, put more projects on the ground, and increased technical attention to the Deer Creek sub-watershed. The stakeholder base was diversified.

January 2005 to January 2006 Upper Wakarusa WRAPS Implementation
KDHE Project Number 2003_0013

This project funded a WRAPS Coordinator to work directly with the UWW Core Group to coordinate WRAPS implementation efforts, facilitate and strengthen stakeholder cooperation, track the status of the WRAPS goals and assess/address concerns in the WRAPS first priority areas.

September 2002 to March 2004 Educating and Organizing Kaw Valley Citizens for Watershed Protection US EPA CP-98723001

This project finalized and produced the WRAPS document and began to build WRAPS relationships with elected officials and the general public. Urban and Rural Issues work groups were established and general cooperative needs were identified.

October 2000 to December 2002 Kaw Valley Public Participation and Water Quality Protection US EPA CP-99787701

This project, by developing and implementing the building blocks of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) document, laid the groundwork for the development and eventual priority-driven implementation of the WRAPS in this watershed.

  • Increased water quality data for the UWW by using citizen volunteers to collect water samples throughout the watershed. Samples were analyzed by the Kansas Biological Survey water quality lab. The results have helped prioritize sub-watershed and will be important baselines for future reference.
  • Used the Wakarusa watershed as a pilot area for implementing BMPs via River Friendly Farmer (RFF). This project worked directly with seven Wakarusa Valley farms to trial water test kits to be used in conjunction with RFF.