NATURAL RESOURCES

Oil and gas production are important enterprises in various areas throughout the county.  Approximately 73 oil wells and 55 natural gas wells are in current production.  Leasing of surface, subsurface and mineral rights for oil and gas exploration provides significant income for some landowners.  Colorado Interstate Gas has major natural gas transmission pipelines crossing the county and there is a pumping substation located 13 miles north of Eads along U.S. Highway 287.

The only mining activities in the area provide limestone and gravel from quarries operated by the county.  Limestone is crushed and hauled as road base for unpaved roads.  Aggregate for concrete is available along the Arkansas River approximately 25 miles south of Kiowa County.

Irrigation water is limited and comes from wells.  The main aquifer in Kiowa County is located in the alluvium of Rush and Big Sandy Creeks.  In the southeastern corner of the county, a few wells are tapping the Ogallala Formation.  The water table in this area varies and expansion for irrigation is regulated.

 Kiowa County does have approximately 14,645 surface acres of irrigation storage in three reservoirs which are enhanced natural reservoirs filled through a canal system from the Arkansas River. None of this water is used to irrigate Kiowa county land.  All water from these reservoirs flows south to adjoining counties for irrigation.

 Water sources for livestock grazing are available in the county.  Water is pumped mostly using windmills and, submergible pumps where electricity is available. Buried water pipelines are used in many locations to distribute water from wells to outlying pastures.

RESERVOIRS BASED ON ESTIMATED HIGH WATER LINE