February 14, 2025

SALINA — Farmers in Saline County are struggling to grow their crops as a drought worsens. But they’ve also found a way to cooperate with their urban neighbors in the city of Salina to share the water in the Smoky Hill River. “We tried not to do what we did in ’06 when we actually pumped the river dry,” Martha Tasker, the utilities director in Salina, said. “Truly there was no flow in the river at all. And due to this cooperation we’ve been able to avoid that this year.” Farmer Steven Johnson said Saline County farmers want to maximize the use and avoid abuse. “.. So that we use all of the water that’s available but make sure we’re not depleting a resource for other use downstream,” he said. “Working together, everybody’s tried to give everyone a chance to irrigate so at least continue to make sure that the crops survive.” Gov. Sam Brownback has been touring some of the most hard-hit areas in drought-stricken Kansas and was in Saline County Tuesday. He was scheduled to be in Allen and Neosho counties today.
Wednesday, July 18, 3:30 p.m.

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