KU researchers offer insights into severity of drought conditions

Drought conditions have been reported in parts of Kansas and the Midwest for the second consecutive year, but researchers at the University of Kansas say it is too early to call the drought a trend.

The following KU researchers are available to answer questions related to the drought conditions that have plagued parts of the state this year:

Researchers report drop in groundwater levels
Blake "Brownie" Wilson, survey water-data manager at the Kansas Geological Survey, led a team of researchers at the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, that recently monitored water levels in western and central Kansas. They discovered that water levels in these areas declined an average of slightly less than two feet from January 2002 to January 2003, compared with an average drop of about one foot during the previous year. Most of the wells that were measured are used for irrigation, and this year's larger decline likely is related to extended dry weather.

KU engineer offers homeowners tips with foundation problems resulting from a combination of drought, shrinking clay soils
Robert L. Parsons, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, researches shrinking and swelling soil conditions on pavement and structures and has conducted studies for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

KU historian reviews lessons Americans have learned from Dust Bowl years
Donald Worster, Hall distinguished professor of American history and award-winning environmental historian at KU, studies policies and practices affecting settlement of semi-arid lands including Kansas.

Remote sensing researchers say it's too early to tell drought's impact on vegetation
Kevin Price, associate director of the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program at KU, said researchers won't know until later this month exactly what effect the drought has had on vegetation. Price leads a team of researchers that issues the GreenReport, a set of four color-coded maps that detail vegetation conditions in areas as small as 250 acres. The report can compare current conditions with maps of the same area from the previous week, the same time a year ago or even an 11-year average.

Weather expert says northern corners of state hit hardest
Donna Tucker, KU associate professor of physics and astronomy, said counties in the extreme northeast and northwest corners of the state have been hit hardest by the current drought. Although this marks the second year in a row with severe drought conditions, Tucker, who teaches atmospheric sciences at KU, said it is still too early to call it a trend.