Water, water everywhere ... in central KS at least

Steve Seibel

Steve Seibel

Member
Heads up to those hunting the Central Flyway this year. In the last month alone here in central Kansas , we've received a foot of rain -- nearly half our annual rainfall -- and flooding is a problem. Rains have been fairly constant in Nebraska, also. Up until a month ago the Cheyenne Bottoms wetland near Great Bend, KS was all but dry. I'm guessing the pools are forming again ... I plan to get up in the airplane sometime in the next week or so -- if the weather ever clears -- and post some photos.
 
Thanks Steve, I keep an eye on CB for my Thanksgiving trip. No water last year so didn't go but looking good for this fall.
Region 3
This is a collection of all the Region 3 Waterfowl Report
CHEYENNE BOTTOMS - Last Updated: 8/5/2013
Waterfowl numbers
Fall migration is just around the corner. With the recent rains we are finally receiving some run off and able to divert water from Dry Creek and Wet Walnut Creek.
Water level
Pools 1A, 1B and 1C are between 7 and 15 inches. Pool 2 is near 12 inches, Pools 3A and 3B are about 6 inches, Pools 4A and 4B are about 7 to 13 inches and Pool 5 is over 30 inches.
Hunting conditions
Annual plant production and millet seeding is looking good. Kochia stands are in every Pool, but many openings were made and naturally occurred for hunting opportunities. Roads are in good shape but muddy..
Expected hunting success
It is looking very good for this fall.
 
Just as a follow-up, McPherson Wetlands (50 miles east of Cheyenne Bottoms) should be good for teal season. On a historical note, a century ago this was a wetland even greater than CB, before a massive ditch project drained it shortly after the first World War (on my list of things to do is to someday write a book). DU has spent millions on the McPherson Wetlands, but all that can be done is to capture these big rain events with some gigantic electric pumps ...
 
YES It is cool and wet here in central Kansas, got another half inch last night, Reminds me of Iowa right now, all the ponds are full and running over !!
 
It's definitely been wet. I even saw a couple teal the other day.

That's an awesome way to scout Steve! We expect thorough (and accurate) reports :)

One of my colleagues when I was living in Missouri had a plane and was always looking for reasons to get in flight time, but we never connected at the right time to use it for scouting. I always thought it would be a great way to find out of the way places.

Scott
 
Heads up to those hunting the Central Flyway this year. In the last month alone here in central Kansas , we've received a foot of rain -- nearly half our annual rainfall -- and flooding is a problem. Rains have been fairly constant in Nebraska, also. Up until a month ago the Cheyenne Bottoms wetland near Great Bend, KS was all but dry. I'm guessing the pools are forming again ... I plan to get up in the airplane sometime in the next week or so -- if the weather ever clears -- and post some photos.[/reply



Hey Steve,
The weatherman said that next week was going to be the first time in a while that drier conditions might get set in place. It is amazing how this weather pattern has stayed the same for such a long period of time. Even though the Rio Grande is just a small stream once again, the key is that there is water still there. It has been flowing for almost a month now. Sounds to me like you guys will have a banner teal season. Good luck. By the way if you ever get up in the plane again, I sure would like to see some pictures from that vantage point!
Al
Click to expand...
 
Steve, it is great to see the rain.Though we could use a little more here in western kansas we have been very blessed.I have been putting the powerlines back up in the pratt area that the recent storms have taken down and I can't believe the amount of water running everywhere.The last few years have made hunting easy here in western kansas if you had a spot of water there would be ducks.The ducks have alot more water now.I can hardly wait for sept 7 to go after the teal.
 
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