Drought continues to take toll on Kan. reservoirs

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - An annual well survey to be conducted this month will let Kansas water officials see how much damage has been caused underground by the continuing drought.

Above the surface the signs of a shrinking water system are hard to miss, especially in the state's reservoirs where some boats are marooned in their slips and ramps are no longer reachable along receding shorelines.

Kanapolis State Park manager Rick Martin told The Hutchinson News all of the state's lakes are suffering because of a drought expected to persist at least through March.

Cheyenne Bottoms manager Karl Grover says the reservoir there usually is a wildlife haven for birds and hunters this time of year. He says rain in November created a few puddles, but any hunting lasted only a few weeks.