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
LAKE NAME |
SURFACE ACRES |
SQUARE
MILES |
SHORE
MILES |
|
Mud Lake |
250 |
.39 |
2.5 |
NeeGronda |
2700 |
4.22 |
8.8 |
NeeNoshe |
3200 |
5.00 |
10.2 |
Neeskah (Upper & Lower Queens) |
1000 |
1.56 |
5.2 |
425 |
.66 |
3.2 |
Neesopah (Sweetwater & Jet) |
900 |
1.41 |
6.25 |
950 |
1.48 |
5.91 |
Adobe Creek |
9425 |
14.72 |
42.06 |
Total All Reservoirs |
14645 |
22.88 |
58.06 |
|