FLINT HILLS MTIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Hartford, Kansas

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1977

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Pish and Wildlife Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR yr^mr ETLI^ fatioml I Bartfocpd, Ktosaa

AHSDJIL HAHRimrg hspght CaOondar Tear 1977

mmOML WIWUM BBPUQ3 STE™ Flah and Wildlife Servloe 0,3, 0^ THB UfffiHIOK Bsraciunol

1. Harold B. Sbdpbard Tractor Operator WG-06-433 (Career Ssasoml) 2. 7, Amdt Clerk Typist GS-03-02 (CC-PPT) 3* Carltoil IU Freoburg Asst. Bsfugs mmm* GS-09-01 (P?T) U. Hon £• Thum l&lntsnaras Worker WG~07-01 {CC-OT?)

- Hot Pictured -

Iltohael J. Long Mfvim Manager (^-11-02(m) Joseph L. PXusisr Bio, Iteoh. 03-05-03 (TT) Bsslgnsd 10/27/77 Joseph J. Conrad Traotor Operator WG-0&-03 (FT} Betired 10/18/77

Berioi# and

As/fif} £u.i' Kotfo $J? 7// y Bats FLINT HILLS Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE was established under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act on a part of the area acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the John Redmond Dam and Reservoir. This flood control project is administered by the District Engineer, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

PUBLIC ROADS SPECIAL RECREATION AREAS - NO HUNTING STRAWN HUNTING AREA FISHING ACCESS POINTS (1) DESIGNATED FIREARM TRAVEL ROUTE (During waterfowl hunting season. TABLES OF CCMSSTS

I* GgKBaAL 3&ge

A. Introduotlon 1 B. dim tic and Habitat Ccaiditiona 1 C. Land Acquisition. 2 B. System Status • 2

n* ocmmxiTim MD mnmmim

A. Conatruotion k B. Maintenance 6 C. Wildfire . 7

in. habitat wmsmwrn!

A. Croplands •••••••.••••••« 7 3« Grasslands 9 C. Wetlands . 10 B. Forestlands . , 10 S. Other Habitat 10 P. Wilderness and Special Areas 10 G. Saseraenta for Waterfowl Management 10

IV. WIIBLIFS

A. Endangered and Threatened Species 10 B. Migratory Birds 11 C. Mamaals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others • ll;

V. INTSRPRgTATION AND HBSHEATION

A. Information and Interpretation 15 B. Beoreation. •••••••• ••••..« 16 C. Snforoeaient 18

VI. OTHSH ITHMS

A. Field Investigations. 19 B« Cooperative Programs. 19 C. Items of Interest •«•••.••••••• 20 B. Safety. 20 S. Five.Year History of Personnel. 21 P. Attachment - Envelope 1.

Introduotion • * •

Flint Hills national Wildlife Befuge, looated in the Central Flyway in south oentral Kansas, is an overlay project on the Corps of Engineers, John Bedmond Ham and Beaervoir, a flood control projeot. The refuge is looated about UO miles east of the Flint Hills of Kansas, 60 miles south of Topeka, the capital city, and approximately 100 miles southeast of the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

A nuclear plant is presently being built 6 miles from the refuge reservoir area* Water will be obtained from the reservoir to beIp in creating and maintaining cooling for the remoter* Approximately 5,000 surface acres will be required by the nuclear reactor.

The plant is scheduled for oompletion in 1931* The predictiona are for increased waterfowl numbers moving from the plant site to refuge, for inoreaaed usage of refuge lands due to inoreased populations of people, and for inoreased tourism from nuclear plant visitors.

Climatic and Habitat Conditions

Weather and reservoir data which affects the refuge are obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at John Redmond Reservoir weather station*

The Neoaho-Cottonwood River drainage is the main water supply for the refuge at John Redmond Reservoir Project. Flint Hills liational Wildlife Refuge is the most flood prone refuge in legion 6* Normal conservation pool is 1036 WL (Mean Sea Level). Normal' operational levels range between 1036 and 1039 M3L. At 10U2 MSL, 25$ of the refuge is under water, at IO67, 90£a is flooded. The highest level recorded during 1977 was 1055 in June. The lowest level, 1033-3l» ooourred during a draw-down for dam rip-rap repairs in August.

Excessive rains in June caused vet field conditions for the wheat harvest. large amounts of rain also fell in August and September again curtailing normal farming operations on refuge land. 2. TABLE I - father Conditions and Haaarvoir Fluotuatlons for John Bedraond Beservoir, CY-1977-

H0TO INCHSS N0HMAL TEMPSRATDHS LAKE LBm P8SCIP. HtSCIP. MAX. ICCN. mx. IOT.

Jan. .70 1.24 50 -11 1036.29 1036.12 Feb. .58 1.33 72 2 1036.50 1036.29 Mar. 1.27 2.25 80 15 1036.96 1036.38 April 2.37 3.38 84 32 1045.99 1036.57 my 6.11 4.91 86 41 1055.00 1039.49 June 7.40 4.68 95 51 1052.22 1033.91 July 2.80 3.48 104 55 1035.20 1033.31 Aug. 7.28 2.96 97 5o 1035.07 1033.73 Sept. 8.87 4.13 90 5o 1036.46 1033.92 Dot* 2.15 2.71 84 32 1035.05 1033.89 Nov. 3.11 1.64 72 11 1042.56 1034.78 Dec. .19 1.51 63 5 1037.72 1036.72 C. Land Aoquiaition

1. gee Title :

All lands are undar fee title to the U.S. Asmy Corps of ESngineers.

2. Eaaeiaants

No wetland-waterfowl eaaeiaents are present or planned.

3. Other

Nothing to report.

B. System Status

1. Objeotivea

The waterfowl objeotiee at this station is for 19,390,000 uoe-days of geese with a expected peak census of 55*400 geese and 13»770,000 use-days for ducks with an expected peak of 200,000 ducks. These objectives are well on the road to being made or will be exceeded shortly before or after the nuclear reservoir is oompleted. It is predicted that the nuclear reservoir will oreate a 'hot water bath effect', holding greater numbers of waterfowl for longer periods of time in this agricultural area.

Interpretation and reoreation is considered the most likely area which will become out of phase due to inoreased local population and easy highway access from larger metropolitan areas. The largest amount of output benefits will be generated in this area. A change in documentation in this axes baa not been attempted during this past year. Because of YCC euraaer activit­ ies in creating and interpreting a nature trail which is now open, small but positive steps axe being taken.

Operationally this refuge has been close to BFIO level. Positive steps have been aooomplished in this budget year both in dollars available and the addition of two permanent full-time staff members. The Assistant Bsfugs Manager position was filled August 1* 1977> and a full-time Maintenanoe Man position was added September 27, 1977.

Both the financial and personnel picture are a result of the Bioenteimial Land Heritage Program (BLHP).

Punding

This refuge has a unique but unstable funding source. Because of oontraotual agreements with the Corps of Engineers, receipts from surplus crops axe sold and revert back to this station. These funds were acquired for the first time during th» "Trans­ ition Quarter of 1976", and are •no year monies1. Before being expended they must be administratively appropriated back to this station. Those funds are processed through the 'Bill for Collection' procedure and eventually put in Sub-Activity #3210, Prooeeds from Bales. When available these monies will be for expansion, not operational use.

Funds collected by fiscal year to date ares

Transition Quarter 1976 (July-Oct. 1976) 150,390.01

W-X977 135.^0.^

TOTAL 885,950.1*2

Whether or not this situation continues is up for grabs• Mr. Bon Wilkes, an auditor for the Bepartaaent of the Interior, visited this station in April, 1977» and audited the farming program of this and other stations in the Befuge System. This oolleotion item did cause interest and probably will be treated in his final report to the Bepertaent of the Interior.

The following chart indicates the last five-year history of funding from normal funding sources (excludes #3210 monies)! TABLE II - Flint Hills WR Budget for past five years.

yy TOTAL TOTAL SAURY % OF PONDS AVAILABLE TOR BODGET SATAHY TOTAL BUDGET SOPPLTES & SERVICES

73 $80,000 $51,923 65 $28,077 Tk 56,500 33,11*9 59 23,351 75 56,700 36,166 61* 20,531* 76 58,200 37,952 s 20,21*3 77 67,800 1*5,887 67 21,913

II. COI^STKUCTION AHS

A, Conatruotion

The present refuge office is located In the basement of the Poet Offloe in Burlington, Kansas. In January, 1917 9 a bid for a new office building and shop ($2 ft. by ?M ft.) was accepted and signed. The building was completed in the fall of 1977J however, the building was not accepted until Beoember 1, 1977• The offioe was not operational as of this date because of liquidated damages of $90 per day and problems associated with constructIon. A court fight might result.

Also obligated in September, 1977» was £9,222.60 for a portion of the sewage system. This also is not completed. The intent here was to involve a staged sewage construction consisting of a 2,500 gallon holding tank and lift station. The lift station is then connected via a 1,000 foot line to the sewage system of Hartford. The 1,000 feet of sewer line is not included in the £9,222.60 obligation for the holding tank and lift station* The initial quoted amounts were beyond our budget and oame at the end of the fiaoal year. The plan of operating the offioe-shop with sewage to the holding tank being pumped out ami neceaaary for August, September as needed, followed by the connection to the Hartford City system did not materialise. The end result is that the offioe part of the building is not being used as of this date, and the holding tank and lift station are not installed. Bafuge office has been in Post Office baaesaant since xatMga establlahmant in 1966. 1/17/78 CEP

Hartford Qffioe/Shop building. Coat was (S5U.000. Sewaaa Syatem will coat an additional $12,000. l/l7/78 CEP Also obligated undor FY-77 funda was a metal building (20 ft. by UO ft.). Total oost including the foundation was I9,17J>» This is intended to be used to store supplies and materials and to allow the station to move from the storage facilities we have rented since the refuge started.

The buildings obligated this year represent the first bits of building construction that this refuge has seen since establishment. Because the office-shop will be under the same roof for the first time, a aubetantial savings in time, money, and effort is expected to be realised. Presently the office is some 15 miles from the refuge and 6 miles from the shop. Transportation of staff and equipment has been inefficient when compared to the present location, which is basically in the center of the refuge.

?&intenanoe

There are h0 + miles of refuge roads that require mlntenanoe• The over-all condition of the road system is poor. Gravelled roads need re-shaping, gravel, and proper signing. In the past, fund limitations have curtailed road maintenance. Approximately 2.5 miles of refuge roads were gravelled during the year. One mile of road at Strawn Flats, one-half mile near the Hartford office, and a one-mile etretoh of Willowgrove road were gravelled. Ebles were repaired with black-top mix on 3.1 miles of refuge asphalt roads. A total of 6.7 tons of black-top mix were applied. Small amounts of hill gravel are available on refuge lands. A much larger quantity of wash or river gravel is also available, but is less valuable in road maintenance. Wash gravel is used to upgrade badly eroded roads. Any type gravel cm a dirt road is better than none at all. load grading of refuge roads is done by o ontract with four grader operators from two townships and one county.

The National Guard from Hoporia, Kansas, used Flint Hills as a training site and oompleted maintenance projects for the refuge. Completed projeota involving the use of explosives included the removal of a silo and an unsafe wooden plank bridge, demolition of a cracked concrete culvert bridge, and the oreation of three 15' wide potholes in wetland areas. A metal culvert was installed at the temporary entrance to the Hartford offioe. Limited road grading was also done cm refuge roads by Guard personnel.

Lyon County was given 17,068,16 to replace two unsafe bridges with metal oulverts south of Hsosho Bapids. In oompleting the replace­ ment of the * loron County replaced an unsafe wooden bridge with a metal culvert etrue tore. 1/17/76 CHF

C. vaidfire

Nothing to repoarfc.

III. HOmg MAMCkiuHMT

A. Croplands

One of the larger farming programs within the Hefuge System exists at this station. Land is farmed under oooperative agreement only; no force aooount farming exists, nor has it ever existed. During calendar year 19779 a total of 79311 aores were negotiated to be farmed with 33 ooopemtors. The refuge farming objective is l*,l£5 aores for future years. a.

Ths past five-jrear history of farming acreage and cooperative farmers for Flint Hills IMRt

TABLE III

CALSHMH YEAR COOPSHATORS IWOLYSD ACRES IWOLVSD

1977 33 7.311 1976 38 7.55U 1979 37 7.99U 197U 39 7,512 1973 kO - 8,000

The farming' program provides i l) feeding and resting area for migrating waterfovl; 2) a method of suppressing the constant cottonwood-wlllow invasion; 3) provides a buffer before depre­ dation oomplainta are receivedj U) yields eoonomio benefits to the local oooBiunity; $) means to address Johnsongraas control, required by state lav; 6) provides a method to manipulate plant auooaasion stages; 7) and defrays the oost of operation "at this project"*

•» An admitted excess of farming land exists* The mix of the above benefits provides a peculiar problem.

Refuge rent shares range from 1/6 to 1/3, basically determined by elevation and susceptibility to flooding on this flood control project. The rent shares for the Government may be sold with the proceeds reverting back to this station because of contractual agreements with the Corps of Engineers.

The basic crops planted in this area include com, milo, soybeans, wheat, and oats. The ooabination of crops that are planted is influenced by ordinary weather patterns, and hf reservoir and river flooding. It is not unusual to have three plantings of a crop in one particular location without any guarantee to harvest by the o©operator. Addendums and ohangea to oontraota are made by mutual agreement between the refuge and the oooperator within the year. The overlapping of planting periods between row orops and wheat causes constant attention to contract details.

Wheat is the usual refuge crop share. Small amounts of row orops are taken to insure food during snow oover. If needed, a row crop is knocked down after the hunting season to act as a lure to control depredation.

The Government share of wheat is harvested and sold in June or July. Sow orops are oooaaionally harvested and sold if aoonomioally feasible in February-March. This is determined by first considering the amount of food available in wheat browse for spring waterfowl migration. Monies oollaoted during calendar year 1977 includedJ 111,356.82 in Pebruary-Maroh fro® the harvest of milo, corn and/or soybeans; and ^,283.60 in June-July for wheat. The average price was: Soybeans $7-85 per/bu; Milo 13-53 per/owt; and Com 12.32 per/bu.

Wheat harvest in June-July was a problem because of moisture in the wheat and fields. Farmers had problems getting into the fields with their equipment, resulting in wheat and weed problems at harvest time. Beoause our wheat was usually on lower ground the refuge harvest would take place after the oooperator harvest, result­ ing in more moisture problems. The price of wheat was way down, and this influenced the amount oooperatora would rsoeive for their efforts. Everybody took a decline in wheat receipts for the year. Still a total of $214,283.60 was collected, an average of $1.82 per/bu at this station.

During wheat planting time in the fall of 1977? moist conditions were still evident in this area. How the problem for the oooperators was to get the wheat planted to complete their requirement of pre­ viously signed oontraota. Tractors could not operate in the fields. One oooperator suggested aerial seeding as a means of completing his obligation. Aerial seeding was tried with some coop®raters and denied to others. Aerial seeding was denied beoause the farmers had either worked their fields so early that vegetation growth was Judged too dense to expeot wheat to survive, or they had not worked the fields at all. Aerial seeding of wheat is used in Western Kansas to a certain extent, but not too often in this area. In hindsight, the portions of land aerial seeded for the refuge share was Judged to be a mistake. However, the looal opinion on wheat is that you measure it only after it is in the bin. It was expected that aerial seeding would result in the wheat being driven into the wet ground and covered shortly. Instead it Just layed on top of the ground. The aerial seeding was done both on the oloaed-to-hunting area of the refuge as well as the open-to-hunting area of the refuge. The distinct possibility of the Befuge Hanager causing-a situation which resulted in a baiting situation now loomed strong on the horizon with wheat everywhere on the ground. The Senior Besldent Agent waa called, advice was asked, and an on-aite inapeotion requested. The question now revolved around normal agricultural praotioe and what the birds were doing. The birds and hunters did not use the aerial seeded area much on the open side and further closure action for that particular area did not result. It is doubtful whether aerial seeding will ever be used again.

Grasalande

A total of 35 aorea of refuge lands were seeded with native grasses 1 Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switohgrass. An additional 150 acres of land was burned to stimulate native grasses while controlling ootton-willow Buooeaaion. 1

10.

A rou^i draft of the fire plan was near oompletion at year's end. Total proposed acres for controlled burning are 2,727.6.

C. Wetlands

At the normal conservation pool level of 1039 MSL, there are 1,1*00 acres of reservoir waters, livers, streams, and ponds make up kSO acres. 1,700 acres of wetlands are also present. The water levels on the wetlands are controlled by dikes and water control struotures. Beeervoir flooding and rainfall provide the eouroe of water. Pump­ ing of water into wetland areas was diaoontinued in 1971* because of high costs.

Approximately 1,000 acres of John Bedmond Heservoir were aerial seeded with Japanese Millet during July 22-25* 1977* The seeding was a joint effort with the Corps of Engineers, Kansas Fish and Game, and the refuge. Each party contributed $1,000 to pay the oost of the seeding project. The main purpose of the seeding was to improve fishery resources by stabilising the reservoir bottom. In the fall, migrating waterfowl also benefited from the flooded millet.

D. Foreatlands

Non-oommeroial timber is distributed along roads, streams, rivers, and small upland areas. No trees were planted or harvested in CY-77. Seven wood oolleotion permits were issued during the year as oom- pared to 12 permits in 1976. Only flood debri wood may be out and oolleoted.

B. Other Habitat

Nothing to report.

F. Wilderness and Speoial Areas

Nothing to report.

G. Baaexaenta for Waterfowl Itoagsment

Nothing to report.

IV. WIXDLIFS!

A. Bndaiteered and Threatened Specie a

Nothing to report. 11. Higratory Birds

1. Waterfowl

Census isethode used to determine waterfowl numbers .oonsists of aerial surveys and periodic ground counts. Doug Denning, Fly- way Biologist, Denver, Colorado, periodioally flys the refuge to obtain a goose population oeneus.

Census of diving ducks is more difficult than puddle duck or goose census because the ducks axe usually found on the middle of the reservoir.

The peak populations for White-fronted, Snow, and Canada geese all increased over 1976 levels. White-fronts were up 50%, Snow geese up 30$, and Canada geese were up 70$ over 1976 peak num­ bers, Table IV shows waterfowl peak numbers from 1969 through 1977. Table V shows waterfowl use-days from 1969 through 1977. Abnormally cold weather in January and February resulted in extensive ice cover on the reservoir. The majority of normally overwintering Mallards and geese moved south as the reservoir iced over. A total of 7,000 geese and 12,000 ducks stayed during the period of ioe cover. A normal over-wintering population would have consisted of 23,000 g^ese and 1*0,000 ducks.

The completion of the Wolf Creek Huole&r Power Plant, 6 miles Sast of the refuge will include a 5,000 acre cooling lake. The lake will provide an attractive site for waterfowl during periods of ioe cover on John Redmond Reservoir. Larger numbers of water­ fowl are expected and total use-days should increase. The lake is scheduled to be filled by iaid-1981.

Waterfowl production during 1977 included 300 Mallards, 200 Blue- Winged Teal, and 500 Wood Ducks. T

There has never been a waterfowl banding program at Flint Hills Befugs, TABLE 17 VATSRPOWX PEAK BOMBER - BY CimJDAR YEAR

Speoiea 13*2 1272 1271 1272 1273 1,274 1275. ,12.76 1277

Mallard S$,9$0 65,951 57,5oo 54,000 30,000 20,000 28,000 5D,ooo 35,000 Gadvall 3,325 3,010 10,000 90 7,800 2,000 2 2,000 1,000 Pintail 9.^10 70*25 15,000 7,000 6,600 4,000 3.000 2,500 7,000 G.We Toal 7,650 3,5oo 10,050 2,000 300 1,000 600 1,500 2,000 B.V. Teal 8f6U6 7,9io 3,000 325 1,540 2,000 5oo i,5oo 2,000 Shoveler U38 5oo 3.590 480 1,100 555 2,500 200 5,000 A. Widgeon 2,200 5,300 i5,ooo 130 3,200 4,500 300 250. 5,000 Wood Buck 350 1*00 300 30 18 7 50 200 800 Redhead 1,000 200 400 50 3,265 200 . 5oo 250 2,000 H.N. Buck 9,950 105 10,000 — 9,300 50 200 ... 1,500 Canvas Baok 200 i,5oo 1*00 10 300 1 200 50 2,000 L. Soaup 7,1*00 3,000 10,000 580 18,900 5,000 ... 50' 2,000 C. Gkjldeneye k 33 2 100 100 260 1 2,000 5oo Buddy Buck 1,000 25 50 300 40 eeeeee 10 50 4oo H. Merganser 7 2 20 40 m 50 ... 500 500 C. Forganser 8,250 5,000 7,000 4,500 14,000 2,600 2,000 5,000 2,000 Canada Goose 1,1*56 3,432 2,800 4,200 4,ooo 6,000 5,000 7,000 7,500 White Fronted i,55o 800 1,200 1,035 300 1,500 1,000 1,000 1,500 Snow Goose 9,1*64 3,958 4,000 5,ooo 12,000 8,000 12,000 15,000 19,500

. % -j *»Sourcas Computer Program dated April 8, 1975 and later oensus. TABLB V WATERPCML USS BAYS BY CALSHDAR YEAR

Bpeoies 1?6? 1.270 1271 1?72 i?n ISlk l?75 i?76 1977

Mallard 2,618,231 2,960,070 2,1*16,155 3,292,310 2,655,21*3 766,51*9 610,302 2,500,000 3,1*2!*,750 Gadnall 92,302 70,1*20 127,1*56 2,730 238,168 37,772 21 75,ooo 63,UU) Pintail 316,099 239,512 396,550 85¥l90 151.363 120,1*00 122,150 110,000 170.780 . . C o 136,962 9U.1U3 10,050 23,835 6,171* 19,782 9,67k 22,000 268,520 B.W. Tb&l 139,571 279,125 87,150 9,1*50 1(0,961* 62,125 13,720 l*S,ooo 262,130 Shoveler i5,iau 21.931 78.505 11,31(0 11,508 15,190 1*2,560 10,500 116,950 A. Widgeon 119,210 90,062 159,530 2,250 117,915 117,565 . 1*,200 6,300 197,910 Wood Buck 13,909 18,312 8,337 1*1*1 308 151* 1*90 25,000 67,600 Bedhead 13,860 3,878 7,350 721 35,1*90 1.1*07 8,1*00 12,000 81,900 -O , ' o. 83,306 735 86.310 180,01*0 385 2,800 73,650 Canvas Baok 1,691* 19,590 6.650 70 13,620 7 1,1*00 3,ooo 1*2,1*00 L. Soaup 73,570 38,101 72*,270 12,390 520,1.15 75,159 — 108,1*1*0 C. Goldeneys 28 1*62 11* 2,21*0 1.939 3,136 7 3,5oo 16,680 Ruddy Buck 7,616 399 392 2,310 693 _ 11*0 200 8,1*30 Merganser 70 29 2*20 805 1,162 1,015 3,5oo 6,380 C. Ilerganaer 222,11*5 11*6,965 212,695 107,072 186,627 51,905 55,300 125,000 117,800 Canada Goose 111*,1*61» 211,1*30 21*2,095 307.986 3la ,222 382,1*59 339,500 360,000 71*2.320 White Fronted 25.830 19,553 19,698 il.,595 12,131 51*.1*39 1(1*,625 1*6,000 128,770 Sncw Goose 371.501* 218,239 298,1.66 272,825 1*17,631* 365,51*0 569,856 620,000 1,160,260

^•Source of above use day figures from Flint Hills NWR Computer Program - dated April 8, 1975 and later 1U«

2« Murah fimd V/atar Birds

Th» White Pelican migration -peaked at 1,000 in October. A record of 1,200 4- was recorded in 1976.

3- Shorebirds ? Qmist 'Perns and Allied Species

The fall migration of gulls, primarily Ring-Billed, Franklin, and Bonapartea reached a peak in excess of 100,000 during October. I , h* Raptors

Bald and Golden Saglee are ps^eaent during fall and apring migrations. The peak population of 3h was recorded in Feb­ ruary, 1977.

9. Other Migratory Birds

Nothing to report.

TtommlM mtA TpmMMmtomr Mai^i

1. Game Tlamaala

Wkite-tsdLled deer, squirzels, and rabbits are the primary game aansaals that are hunted on Flint Hills Refuge. Hunting is per­ mitted on the Hartford, Sagle Creek, and Stravm Flats Units. Archery and shotguns are allowed. For safety reasons, deer hunting is limited to archery hunting. The use of rifled firearms is not allowed on refuge lands for hunting or target practice.

No refuge permits are required to hunt deer or any other legal bird or mammal. The permit system used for refuge archery deer hunting was terminated following the 1975 season, j

Furbearer trapping on refuge land was terminated following the 1975-76 season. The program was terminated because s 1) Ho known excess population existed} 2) Ho damage of refuge lands, or adjacent lands caused by furbearers existed} 3) Ho conflict was present between furbearers and other animal speoies} h) Inadequate funds and man-power were available to administer a trapping program.

2. Other Mauaaals

Nothing to report.

3. Besidant Birds

Bobwhito Quail, Greater Prairie Chicken, and Mourning Doves is.

axe present on the refuge. Little hunting is done for the Prairie Chicken or the riourning Dove. Moderate hunting pressure exists for the Quail. An estimated 1,000 Quail were harvested in 1977. The refuge Prairie Chicksn population is estimated to he 30 birds.

U. Other Animal Life

Nothing to report.

Y. INTSjBPRBTATION AND HBCH3ATIQN

Information and Interpretation

1. Oa-.Befuge

Two "Outdoor Education Laboratories" are present on the refuge. Both areas are approximately 80 aores. One area was established in 1974 for use by the Hartford High School. The other area exists in name only, and was established in 1975 for use by Emporia Schools,

A one mile long nature trail was o ample ted in 1977 by the YCC Camp. The interpretation for the trail is aooomplished through the use of •educational1 signs along it's route. The trail is adjacent to an observation tower, aleo built by the ICC in 1976, near Dove Roost Pond.

A foot bridge was designed and built by the ICC during the summer of 1977. The bridge was constructed from lumber salvaged from dismantled refuge bridges. 1/17/78 CRP / /

Surprise: This is the last interpretative «i$ti alon^ the 1.1 mile lon£ Dove Roost Nature Trail. The. "XOC meabere did not want to frighten off any potential trail usen by placing the sign near the beginning of trail. 1/17/78 CRF

2. Qff-Befuge

A refuge representative was present at the National Hunting and Fishing Day Exhibit held at the John Redmond Reservoir Office. Information and literature about refuge aotivitles were pro­ vided as well as assistance in a Hunter Safety Course. Approx­ imately 100 people saw the exhibit.

Three off-refuge slide presentations were given during 1977# with a total audience of approximately l£0 people viewing the presentations. Reoreation

X. Wildlife Oriented

A total of ten trafflo counters were used during CT-1977 to help in estimating public use for various refuge aotivitiee. The estimates obtained with present methods are moderately accurate. Additional counters and a revised public use plan are soheduled for 1978. Approxiaately 9^o of all publio use is wildlife oriented. Wana-water fiehin^ ia the sa.lor activity followed by wildlife observation, hunting, interpretation, and ernrironnantal aduoation. A total of 73*118 refuge visits restated in 191,121 activity hourp of use during 1977-

A series of gates were installed to oontrol all publio use on refuge lands morth of the lieosho Pdver. In previous years, the aain road through the eloeed area was left open for thru traffic. The side roads were olooed with gate* during the closed period. The gates were looked with oorabination padlocks. Cooperative famters were-given the oombination to the looks and allowed to enter and leave the closed area to perform faming aotivitloa. The gates were oloaad cm October 1, 1977 and re-opened on January 16, 1978.

Pipe gate west of Atherlys Hill. 1/17/73 CRF Tbe condition of tbe gs&tes rapidly daterioriated wViea they were used* I'JEuay people drove around the gates when dry ground conditions were present. The entire gate sye tea will be over-hauled before implementation next fall. 1/17/78 CHP

2. Hoo-Wlldllfa Oriented

John Hedmond Beserrolr offers little in the way of aotivitiea such as waterskiing or ewiioalng. Low water levels and turbid water are usually present during periods of high public use. The U.S. Army Corps of Hogineera maintains developed pionio and camping areas. Refuge camping and picnicking are not encouraged. Host camping and pionioking are related to bunting and fishing.

C. Bnforoeraent

Sir oases were filed by refuge personnel in 1977* She offenses included early and late shooting, and hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun. All six oases resulted in payment of fines or forfeiture of balA.

Kansas Fish and Game Protectors Lichlyter and Gentry, who are also U.S. Deputy Game Wardana, estimate they prosecuted 70 oases cm and adjacent to the refuge. Cases involving fishing, hunting, and boating were prosecuted in both State and Federal Courts. Source of this information is verbal contact with both individualo; this station 7^77

19.

doei not attempt to track anoh oaaea made by these individuals•

Law ^nforoement equipment consisting of handcuffs* siren* red light* Kel flashlights, and an electronic megaphone uere jrurobased during the year, ; . .

Assistant Hanagsr, Freeburg* attended the lOO-hour Befuge Law :3n- foroement Training Course held at the Federal Law Bnforoement Training Center* Brunswick, Georgia. lib Area or Begional Office law ESnforoement workshops or training sessions were held in 1977#

VI. omsa ITEK3

A. Field Investigations

Steve Williams* graduate student at Sfcaporia State UniY®rsity, conducted a waterfowl census study on the refuge during the water­ fowl season. Results of the census work will be used to evaluate present waterfowl census methods vised by refuge personnel,

B. Cooperative Programs

Flint Hills Befugs had its second ICC Camp during the suosaer of 1977* with 10 male and 10 female enrollees, Tte camp started on June 13 and ended cm August £* 1977* I-^oor projects included the completion of the 1,1 mile-long Dove Hoost Nature Trail* installation of gates on roads* pruning of trees and brush along 8 miles of roads and trails* maintenance of entrance and boundary signs* and one ooHEMnity service project (painting the Hartford Fire House).

Environmental Awareness activities included a Soil Conservation Service presentation on soil samples and various soil types, A representative of the U.S. Forest Service conducted a seminar on forest preservation and utilisation, Emporia State University Jfcofirssors gave presentations on Entomology and I^aaanalogy. An Audubon Society Member led afield trip to a Gzeat Blue Heron rookery, and a Tfell Grass Prairie. Field trips were also taken to the Kansas University Hatural History Meseum and the Topeka Zoo,

The Camp Director was Louis J, Buss jaeger. Ph. D., a college instructor from Wichita* Kansas, The environmsntal awareness position was hold by Carole® Buss jaeger, Ph. £** high school Biology teacher and the wife of the Camp Director. Carolee also served as a part-time group leader. Other group leaders included J C,E. Harris, a Biological Sciences teacher from Hartford High School, Hartford, Es.f Cindy Tholen, graduate student in Home t 20

joonoraioa from 3mporia, Ka.; and Hon Thuraa, an IndxiB trial Arts Instructor from Burlington, Kansas.

C. Itegia of Interest

HP. Joseph Conrad, part-tim Tractor Operator since 1968, retired on October 18, 1977. Mr. Joseph Humor, Biological Teohnioian since April 27, 1975» resigned August 29, 1977. '$p. Carl Freabivrg, Assistant Bsfuge Hanagar, arrlTod on duty August 1, 1977. HP. Hon Thuma, Heintenance Worker, started September 27, 1977.

A peculiar Lav Hnforceiasnt related problem was Investigated, but never resolved. Helicopters using apotli^ita were reported by many local re aidants and fanaars in the vicinity of Hartford, Kb. Investigation led to the facts that military flights on training missions were in progress at the time from Ft* Hiley, Kansas, and Forbes Airfield, Topeka, Kansas involving regular Army and National Guard flights. The Sheriff •a Office suspected drug traffic, possibly the dropping of drugs. No positive proof existed. Local farmers and ranchers suspected cattle rustling, and reports of uoitiliation of cattle were floating around the area. The Sheriff fs Office and refuge ex&han&sd information, but nothing came out of it. The military beoaao involved when a Major was called at 1 A.M. The Major furnished a negative report oonoeming the spotlighting. Later, a Colonel called and. was very concerned as he felt his omit was falsely accused of similar flights about ho miles from the area. Be was kept informed. There were lota of speculations but no further developmenta occured.

Manager Long wrote the rough draft of the sections on Introduction, System Status, Construction, Croplands, Grasslands, and Items of Interest. Assistant Manager Preeburg wrote the remaining sections and edited all of ths report. Clerk-typist PreIda Amdt gathered data and information, edited, and typed the entire report.

3). Safety

Ten Safety Meetings were held during 1977. Films on various safety related topics were ahown. Ho. lost-time aooidents oooured during 1977. The last lost-time accident oooured in June, 1976. 1

FIVE YEAR HISTORY OP PSSSOMSL

IflRMAMJT MRT-TIMR PABT-TIMS WAGE C21ADE GS GS

1) Sefiwa Mgr. GS—11 (1) Bio. D»oh GS-5(36 hr/wk) (1) Maictenano# Workar WG-7 (EC® 9/27/77) 1) Aast. a»f. Mgr. G8-9 (Eoalgnsd 10/27/77) (l) Tractor Operator W5-6 (Bauwferred 8/1/77) (1) Clk. T^plat S.-?(y) hr/wk) (Career /Seaaoml Vg/T?)

(1) Sefuge Mgr. GS-ll (1} Bio. Teoh. GS-5(36 hr/wk) (2) Tractor Operators WG-6 (15 Clk. TSrpiat OS-3(30 hr/wk) Approxiaataly 6 aontha per/year (SOD 7A/76) each. (1) Clk. Typist GS-U(l6 hr/wk) fBealgned ^/lg/76)

(1) aefuge Mgr. GS-9 (1) Bio. Teoh. (Tranaferred 10/7U) (2) Tractor Operators WG-6 GS-5 Approiiaaatoly 6 months per/year (1) Bio. Teoh. GS-S (EC® 5/7$) each. (36 hr/wk) (1) Clk. Tnalet GS-iidS hr/wk)

(1) Refuge Mgr. GS-ll (1) Clk. Typist GS-l^ie hr/wk) (2) Tractor Operators WG-6 (Transferred 8/73) (1) Bio. Teoh. (BOD l/TU) Approximately 6 months per/year (1) Asst. Bef. Mgr. GS-7 (39 hr/wk) each. (Baoane Refuge Mgr. (l) ^Sainteisarsoe Worker ss-g 2/A)

Refuge %r. GS-ll 1) Bio. Teohnician GS-5 (2) Tractor Operators WG-6 Aaet. Bef. Hgr. GS-7 8i1) Clk. Typist GS-l4(l6 hrM) Approximately 6 iaonth« per/year each.

ro

S S F W Birds of the Flint Hills -Wood Thrush -Swainson's Thrush . . _Gray-cheeked Thrush National Wildlife Refuge -Eastern Bluebird* . . -Townsend's Solitaire Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, estab­ _Blue-gray Gnatcatcher* lished in 1966, is situated on 18,500 acres of the -Golden-crowned Kinglet John Redmond Reservoir on the Neosho River in _Ruby-crowned Kinglet . -Cedar Waxwing eastern Kansas. The refuge was set up and is oper­ Loggerhead Shrike* ated through cooperative agreement with the U.S. -Starling* Army Corps of Engineers. Wildlife habitat is pri­ -Bell's Vireo*. . . . Solitary Vireo . . . marily agricultural land interspersed with stands _Red-eyed Vireo . . of native hardwood timber, shallow marshes, and -Philadelphia Vireo -Warbling Vireo* . flooded sloughs. Grasslands occur only infre­ -Black-and-white Warbler . . . . quently, along the edges of the refuge. -Prothonotary Warbler -Orange-crowned Warbler . . . . -Nashville Warbler Managed mainly for waterfowl, the refuge has _Parula Warbler large concentrations of ducks and geese in fall and -Yellow Warbler -Magnolia Warbler winter. Waterfowl populations peak during the fall -Myrtle Warbler. migration, normally in mid-November. The upper -Black-throated Green Warbler -Blackpoll Warbler reaches of Redmond Reservoir and refuge marshes -Ovenbird attract numerous species of shore- and wading birds. -Northern Waterthrush -Louisiana Waterthrush May is excellent for birding, when both shorebird -Mourning Warbler -Yellowthroat * and warbler migrations reach their peak. Most birds -Wilson's Warbler common to eastern Kansas can be observed on the -American Redstart -House Sparrow* refuge. -Bobolink -Eastern Meadowlark* . . . This folder lists 189 species recorded within the -Yellow-headed Blackbird refuge area since 1963, especially by teachers and _Red-winged Blackbird*. . -Orchard Oriole* students from Emporia State College. Abundance -Baltimore Oriole* -Rusty Blackbird by season, and nesting status, are coded as follows: -Common Crackle*. . . . -Brown-headed Cowbird*. a - abundant S — March-May -Summer Tanager -Cardinal* c — common S — June-August -Blue Grosbeak u — uncommon F — September-November -Indigo Bunting* . . . . -Dickcissel* o -occasional W — December-February -Purple Finch r — rare * — nests on refuge -Pine Siskin -American Goldfinch _Rufous-sided Towhee .-Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow* . LeConte's Sparrow . . . Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Slate-colored Junco . . . Oregon Junco UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ___Tree Sparrow FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE — Chipping Sparrow .... Harris' Sparrow BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Fox Sparrow Refuge Leaflet 242 Swamp Sparrow Song Sparrow Lapland Longspur .... May 1970 GPO 894-539 W S S F W

Eared Grebe _Pectoral Sandpiper Pied-billed Grebe _White-rumped Sandpiper. . . White Pelican -Least Sandpiper Double-crested Cormorant . . -Dunlin -Long-billed Dowitcher .... Great Blue Heron -Stilt Sandpiper Green Heron* -Semipalmated Sandpiper. . . Little Blue Heron -Western Sandpiper Common Egret _Marbl3d Godwit .• . Snowy Egret -American Avocet Black-crowned Night Heron . -Wilson's Phalarope Vellow-crowned Night Heron -Glaucous Gull American Bittern -Herring Gull Mute Swan -Ring-billed Gull Canada Goose -Franklin's Gull White-fronted Goose -Black Tern Snow Goose -Rock Dove Blue Goose -Mourning Dove* Mallard* Black Duck -Yellow-billed Cuckoo* . . . . __Gadwall -Great Horned Owl* Pintail -Snowy Owl Green-winged Teal -Barred Owl* Blue-winged Teal* -Common Nighthawk* Shoveler -Chimney Swift American Widgeon -Ruby-throated Hummingbird Wood Duck* -Belted Kingfisher Redhead -Yellow-shafted Flicker* . . . Ring-necked Duck _Red-shafted Flicker Canvasback _Red-bellied Woodpecker* . . Lesser Scaup -Red-headed Woodpecker* . . Common Goldeneye -Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. . . Ruddy Duck -Hairy Woodpecker Hooded Merganser -Downy Woodpecker* Common Merganser -Eastern Kingbird* . Turkey Vulture* -Western Kingbird* Sharp-shinned Hawk -Scissor-tailed Flycatcher* . . Cooper's Hawk -Great Crested Flycatcher*. . Red-tailed Hawk* -Eastern Phoebe* Rough-legged Hawk -Empidonax spp Ferruginous Hawk -Eastern Wood Pewee* Golden Eagle -Horned Lark* Bald Eagle -Tree Swallow Marsh Hawk* -Barn Swallow* Osprey -Cliff Swallow Sparrow Hawk* -Blue Jay* Greater Prairie Chicken* . . . . -Common Crow* Bobwhite* -Black-capped Chickadee* . . Ring-necked Pheasant -Tufted Titmouse* Virginia Rail -White-breasted Nuthatch*. . Sora American Coot _Red-breasted Nuthatch . . . Semipalmated Plover -Brown Creeper ;. . . Killdeer* . . -House Wren* r . . American Golden Plover .... -Winter Wren Black-bellied Plover -Carolina Wren* Common Snipe -Long-billed Marsh Wren . . . Upland Plover* -Short-billed Marsh Wren'. . . Spotted Sandpiper -Mockingbird* . . Solitary Sandpiper -Catbird* Greater Yellowlegs -Brown Thrasher* Lesser Yellowlegs -Robin* ILLEGAL PURSUIT AND SPOTTING FROM VEHICLES: name and address to: , BIG GAME No wild animal shall be shot at, killed, or pursued from a KANSAS FISH & GAME MAGAZINE motorboat, aircraft, motor car or other vehicle. No wild game RR 2, Box 54A, Pratt, Kansas 67124 ANTELOPE (Archery): bird shall be shot at or killed unless that bird is in flight (with the exception of the wild turkey). It is unlawful to shoot at or Please print your name and address clearly, including zip Dates open — October 1 through October 5. code and allow 8-10 weeks for delivery. Area open—Portions of Wallace, Sherman, Logan, and kill any game bird with any firearm other than a shotgun. It is also illegal to locate or give information concerning the Thomas counties. location of wild animals or birds by radio or other mechanical WICHITA SUNRISE-SUNSET TABLE Permit— A special permit drawing is held. means from an aircraft during the open season for firearms deer hunting. Day September October November December Januar> ANTELOPE (Firearms): SR SS SR SS SR SS SR SS SR SS Dates open— October 8 through October 10. HUNTER SAFETY CERTIFICATION: Area open—Portions of Wallace, Sherman, Logan, and Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957, must successfully Daylight Saving Time Central Standard Time Thomas counties. complete the Kansas Hunter Safety, cqurse in order to purchase 7:24r 7:13 6:54 5:31 7:25 5:11 7:45 5:22 HUNTING SEASONS Permit— A special permit drawing is held. a hunting license or hunt on lands other than his own. Hunters 1 6:58 7:59 less than 16 years of age are not required to purchase a hunt­ 2 6:59 7:58 7:25 7:11 6:55 5:30 7:25 5:11 7:45 5:23 ing license but must carry a Kansas Hunter Safety Certificate 3 7:00 7:56 7:26 7:10 6:56 5:29 7:26 5:11 7:45 5:23 DEER (Archery); 7:27 7:08 6:57 5:28 7:27 5:11 7:45 5:24 to show that they have completed the course. 4 7:02 7:54 Dates open— October 1 through November 30 and Decem­ 5 7:02 7:53 7:27 7:07 6:58 5:27 7:29 5:10 7:45 5:25 Non-residents born after July 1, 1957, must prove that they AND REGULATIONS 7:30 5:10 7:45 5:26 ber 17 through December 31. 6 7:03 7:51 7:29 7:05 6:59 5:26 have successfully completed an approved hunter safety course, 7 7:04 7:50 7:30 7:03 7.00 5:25 7:31 5:10 7:45 5:27 Area open—statewide. either in Kansas or in their state of residence, before purchasing 8 7:05 7:48 7:31 7:02 7:01 5:24 7:32 5:10 7:45 5:28 Permit— A special permit is required. a hunting license. 9 7:05 7:47 7:31 7:01 7:02 5:23 7:32 5:10 7:45 5:29 10 7:07 7:45 7:33 6:59 7:03 5:22 7:33 5:11 7:45 5:30 LICENSES: DEER (Firearms): 7:07 7:43 7:33 6:58 7:04 5:22 7:33 5:11 7:45 5:31 Resident hunting licenses are required of all Kansas residents 11 Dates open— December 3 through December 11. 12 7:08 7:42 7:35 6:56 7; 05 5:21 7:35 5:11 7:45 5:32 Area open—Statewide. of the ages 16 to 65 and cost $5.00. Non-resident hunting 13 7:08 7:41 7:36 6:S5 7:06 5:20 7:36 5:11 7:44 5:33 licenses are required of all hunters who reside outside of Kansas 7:36 5:11 7:44 5:34 Permit— A special permit drawing is held. 14 7:10 7:39 7:36 6:53 7:07 5:19 regardless of age, and cost $25.00. Any person who has not 15 7:11 7:37 7:37 6:52 7:08 5:19 7:37 5:12 7:44 5:35 been a bona fide resident of the state for 60 days then last 16 7:12 7:36 7:37 6:51 7:09 5:18 7:38 5:12 7:43 5:36 past is considered a nonresident of the state. 17 7:12 7:34 7:39 6:49 7:10 5:17 7:38 5:12 7:43 5:37 7:43 5:38 APPLICATION PERIODS FOR PERMITS Owners of land or tenants of land leased for agricultural 18 7:13 7:33 7:40 6:48 7:12 5:16 7:39 5:13 7:39 5:13 7:42 5:39 purposes and their immediate families living with them, may 19 7:14 7:31 7:41 6:47 7: 13 5:16 20 7:15 7:30 7:42 6:45 7: 15 5:15 7:39 5:13 7:42 5:40 Archery Deer — June 1 through June 21; no drawing. hunt upon such land without a hunting license. However, they must have a Federal migratory waterfowl stamp when hunting 21 7:16 7:28 7:43 6:44 7 15 5:15 7:40 5:14 7:41 5:41 ducks, geese and/or mergansers. This exception applies only for 7:41 5:42 Firearms Deer— July 1 through July 15; drawing the first 22 7:16 7:27 7:44 6:43 7 17 5:14 7:40 5:14 land actually owned or leased for agricultural purposes by the 23 7:17 7:25 7:45 6:41 7 17 5:14 7:41 5:15 7:40 5:43 Wednesday in August. individual and does not apply for. hunting on adjacent land 24 7:18 7:23 7:46 6:40 7 19 5:13 7:41 5:15 7:40 5:44 owned or controlled by another. > 25 7:19 7:22 7:47 6:39 7 19 5:13 7:42 5:16 7:39 5:45 Antelope — June 10 through June 25; drawing the first Wednes­ Persons on active duty in the armed forces and stationed in 26 7:20 7:20 7:48 6:38 7 21 5:12 7:42 5:17 7:38 5:47 7:21 7:19 7:49 6:37 7 22 5:12 7:42 5:17 7:38 5:48 day in July. Kansas are entitled to hunt with a resident hunting license 27 28 7:22 7:17 7:50 6:3.5 7 22 5:12 7:43 5:18 7:37 5:49 provided they carry evidence identifying them as a person on 29 7:22 7:16 7:51 6:34 7 23 5:11 7:44 5:19 7:36 5:50 Turkey— January 15 through February 5; drawing the first active duty in the armed forces of the United States. Armed 30 7:23 7:14 7:52 6:33 7 24 5:11 7:44 5:19 7:35 5:52 forces personnel hunting while on leave or furlough are not 7:44 5:20 7:35 5:52 Wednesday in March. 31 6:52 5:32 required to have a hunting license provided they joined the service while legal residents of Kansas. (For each 15 miles west of Wichita, add one minute; Incomplete applications will be rejected and returned after Kansas residents who are enrolled as an American Indian on for each 15 miles eastof Wichita, subtract one minute.) the application period is over. The deadline for acceptance of a tribal membership roll maintained by the Bureau of Indian applications is 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the application Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior may hunt or period. Reliance on the postmark is no longer possible due to trap without a license. However, they must carry a certificate REGIONAL OFFICES postal procedures. Money for the appropriate fee must be of degree of Indian blood issued by the Bureau of Indian Southcentral Regional Fish & Game Office submitted with application (cashier's check, bank draft, or Affairs on theit person. money order preferred). Fee is returned to all unsuccessful Box 764, 204 W. 6th, Newton, Ks. 67114 (316)283-2482 applicants. Northwest Regional Fish & Game Office Box 366, 190 N. Franklin, Colby, Ks 67701 (913)462-3367 IT IS UNLAWFUL TO HUNT ON OTHER KANSAS REGULATIONS ARE YOU RECEIVING ANOTHER PERSON'S PROPERTY WITHOUT KANSAS FISH & GAME MAGAZINE? Southwest Regional Fish & Game Office CONTROLLED SHOOTING AREAS: 808 Highway 56, Dodge City, Ks. 67801 (316)227-8609 HIS PERMISSION. Kansas has several commercial, state licensed controlled Written to inform and entertain the Kansas outdoorsman, shooting areas which are open from September 1 through KANSAS FISH & GAME contains hunting and fishing informa­ Northcentral Regional Fish & Game Office March 31. A special $3.00 non-resident license can be purchased tion, articles on wildlife and outdoor recreation throughout the Box 489, 511 Cedar, Concordia, Ks. 66901 (913)243-3857 for use only on these areas. A regular hunting license, either state. Published every two months by the Kansas Fish & Game Kansas Forestry, Northeast Regional Fish & Game Office resident or non-resident is also valid on these controlled shooting Commission, each issue is beautifully illustrated with many Box 19086, Forbes AFB, Topeka, Ks. 66619 (913)862-9380 areas. For a list of commercial areas open to the public, contact color photographs and artwork. ^ Y! F'S'1 anc' ®ame Commission Subscription price is one year $3, two years $5, or three the Kansas Fish & Game Commission, Rural Route 2, Box 54A, Southeast Regional Fish & Game Office Pratt, Kansas 67124. years $7. Send your check or money order along with your 222 West Main Building—Suite C & D A/ Rural Route 2, Box 54A Chanute, Ks. 66720 (316)431-0380 Pratt,'Kansas 67124 316-672-5911 UPLAND GAME Migratory game birds may not be taken with a shotgun LATE MIGRANTS Area open — Statewide. capable of holding more than three shells in the magazine Limit — None on the species which can be legally RABBIT/HARE: and chamber combined unless the magazine has been DUCKS, COOTS, MERGANSERS: taken. Each trapper is limited to 20 traps set at one Dates open — All year. plugged with a one-piece filler so as to reduce the capacity Dates open— East of U.S. 283; Oct. 22 through time. Each trap must be marked with the user's name Area open — statewide. to the legal number of three shells. Dec. 4 and Dec. 24 through Jan. 3, 1978. West of U.S. and address and must be inspected at least once every Limit — Daily bag limit on cottontails, 10; posses­ Migratory game birds may not be taken by the aid of 283; Oct. 22 through Dec. 4 and Dec. 24 through Jan. 24 hours. sion limit, 20 after first day. No bag or possession baiting on or over any baited area. 22, 1978. License — A trapping license is required to trap limits on jack rabbits. Legal shooting hours are from One fully feathered wing or the head must remain at­ Area open — statewide. furbearers. one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. tached to all migratory game birds except doves at all Limit — The hunter has reached his daily bag limit times while being transported from the place of taking when the last duck shot puts his point total at or over HUNTING: SQUIRREL: until they have arrived at the personal abode of the 100. Possession limit is two legal daily bag limits. Dates open — Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, 1978 for Dates open — June 1 through Dec. 31. possessor or a commercial preservation facility. badger, bobcat, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, and Point Values—100: Canvasback. Area open — Statewide. opossum. Year-round season on the striped skunk. No person shall take migratory game birds from or by 70: Hen mallard, wood duck, red­ Limit— Daily bag limit, 5; possession limit, 10 means of any motorboat or other craft having a motor — Statewide. head, hooded merganser. Area open after first day. Shooting hours are one-half hour attached, or any sailboat, unless the motor has been com­ — None on species which can be legally taken. 20; Drake mallard, ringneck duck, Limit before sunrise to sunset. pletely shut off and/or the sails furled, and its progress — A hunting license is required to hunt wigeon, and any duck not License therefrom has ceased: Provided, That a hunter may furbearers, and a trapping license is required in order otherwise classified. PHEASANT: retrieve dead or crippled birds from a craft under power; to offer for sale or shipment furbearing animals or 10; All teal, scaup, pintail, Dates open — Nov. 5 through Jan. 8, 1978. however, crippled birds may not be shot from such craft their pelts. northern shoveler, gadwall, Area open — Entire state except that portion of under power. and mergansers other than the southeast Kansas east of U.S. 169 and south of U.S. 54. PROTECTED FURBEARERS (Note: For complete information on federal regulations, hooded. Limit Daily bag limit, 3 cocks; possession limit, Otter, swift fox, black-footed ferret and spotted skunk obtain a copy of the appropriate Federal Register from the A hunter must assume maximum point value 6 cocks on second day, 9 cocks on and after the third may not be hunted or trapped at any time. Mink, muskrat, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240.) for any duck he is unable to identify. day. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sun­ weasel and beaver may not be hunted at any time. rise to sunset. Pheasants in hunter's possession and in Shooting Hours — One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. lockers must retain one leg with foot intact. EARLY MIGRANTS RUNNING (Pursuing with out killing) (For more information, see Kansas Fish & Game GEESE: Raccoon, opossum, red fox and gray fox can be run QUAIL (Bobwhite and scaled): with hounds from August 15 through October 15. There publication, "Early Migratory Bird Regulations and Dates open — Canada and white-fronted geese, Oct. Dates open Nov. 5 (Nov. 12 west of U.S. 81 and Identification Guide".) is no open running season on any other furbearer. north of Interstate 70) through Jan. 15, 1978. 15 through Dec. 25. Snow and Ross' geese, Oct. 22 through Jan. 15, 1978. Area open — statewide. i COYOTE: MOURNING OR TURTLE DOVE: Area open —Sjtatewide. Limit Daily bag limit, 8; possession limit, 16 on Dates open — All year. Dates open — Sept. 1 through Oct. 30. Limit — Daily bag limit, 5 geese; possession limit, 5 second day, 24 on and after third day. Shooting hours Area open — Statewide. Area open — Statewide. geese. The daily b'ag may contain no more than one are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Limit — No bag or possession limits. As with game Limit — Daily bag limit, 10; possession limit, 20. Canada and one white-front. The possession limit may animals, it is unlawful "to hunt, take, pursue, or locate Shotgun must be plugged. Duck Stamp not required. contain no more than 2 Canadas or 2 white-fronts or 1 PRAIRIE CHICKEN (Greater and Lesser): coyotes with the aid of artificial light. The coyote is Shooting hours one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. of each. The daily bag and possession limit may include Dates open West of U.S. 81 and in southeast not legally a furbearing animal. no more than 1 Ross' goose. Shooting hours are one- Kansas south of U.S. 54 and east of U.S. 169, Nov. 12 RAIL (Virginia and sora only): half hour before sunrise to sunset. through Dec. 4; East of U.S. 81, Nov. 12 through Dec.18 Dates open — Sept. 10 through Nov. 18. Area open — Statewide. Area open — statewide. WOODCOCK: Limit Daily bag limit, 2; possession limit, 4 on Limit — Daily bag, 25 in aggregate; possession Dates open — Oct. 8 through Dec. 11. second day, 6 on and after third day. Shooting hours limit, 25. No duck stamp required. Shooting hours are Area open — Statewide. are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. one-half hbur before sunrise to sunset. Limit — Daily bag limit, 5; possession limit, 10 after first day. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sun­ COMMON (Wilson's) SNIPE: rise to sunset. MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS * ' Dates open — Sept. 10 through Dec. 25. Area open — statewide. MIGRATORY WATERFOWL STAMP (Duck Stamp) Limit — Daily bag limit, 8; possession limit, 16. No fOrbearers No person who has attained the age of 16 years shall duck stamp required. Shooting hours are from one-half hunt for or take any migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, hour before sunrise to sunset. (For more information, see Kansas Fish & Game pub­ or mergansers) unless at such time he or she has in posses­ lication, "Furbearer Regulations — Trapping, Hunting, sion an unexpired Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamp TEAL: and Running".) validated by the signature of the owner written across the Dates open — Sept. 10 through Sept. 18. face of the stamp in ink. Area open — Statewide except Neosho and Marais TRAPPING; des Cygnes Waterfowl Management Areas. Dates open — Dec. 1 through Jan. 31 for mink, OTHER FEDERAL REGULATIONS Limit — Daily bag limit, 4; possession limit, 8. muskrat, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk, weasel, The following federal regulations apply to all migra­ Duck stamp is required. Shooting hours sunrise to red fox, gray fox, badger, and bobcat. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU HUNT tory game birds including ducks, geese, coots, mergansers, sunset. Jan. 1, 1978 through Jan. 31, 1978 for beaver. doves, rails, snipe and woodcock: I FISHING Safety Suggestions Keep clear of boat channels, ski and swimming areas. Be careful when casting If trolling, watch water ahead and traffic. Be considerate of others.

SKIING Always wear an approved personal flotation device. Stay in open water. Watch for swimmers. Have at least two people in the boat, one to run the boat, and one to watch the skier.

HUNTING Know the correct way to carry your gun. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Always point the gun muzzle in a safe direction. Be sure of your target. Keep the safety on or the chamber unloaded until ready to fire. Never lay a loaded gun on bottom of boat. Never shoot a rifle at the water.

HAZARDS John Redmond Reservoir has numerous underwater hazards. Be especially watchful for submerged stumps, logs, fences, and other obstructions — particularly in BOATING shallow water and along the shoreline. Don't overload your boat. Boats must not approach closer to the dam than indi­ STANDARD cated by warning signs or safety buoy lines. If your boat upsets, stick to it and use it as a life per- WATERWAY server. MARKERS Standing in a boat can lead to disaster. ITWARNS MAY APPEAR OF DANGER! ON A Help a boat in distress. Give help and if you need BUOY OR ON SHORE help, ask for it. Each boat must have an approved flotation device for each passenger. PORT STARBOARD(Right) SWIMMING SIDE SIDE THESE MARKERS GIVE CHANNEL MARKERS SPEEDCONTROLLED LIMITS ASAREAS INDICATED AND INFORMATION SUCH AS Swim and wade only where you are familiar with (Looking Upstream) INSIDE CIRCLE NAMES,ACTIVITIES DISTANCES, PERMITTED AND the water depths and the bottom. Don't swim alone. There's safety in numbers. Be sure water is deep enough before diving. Be careful of overestimating your swimming ability as water distances are deceiving. Watch children and non-swimmers closely. THISA DIVER ELAG INDICATESIS BELOW THE THAT DO NOT PASS Swimmers should avoid regular boat channels, SURFACE IN THE AREA MARKED BETWEENAND BUOY SHORE launching ramps, and docks. STAY AWAY Early Day History VisitorsWekome John Redmond Reservoir lies in a broad flat valley with margins of the gently rolling Flint Hills — a Dam & Reservoir bluestem grass region of rtatural scenic beauty. The 59- mile shoreline around the reservoir provides excellent camping areas and retreats for vacationists who like to KANSAS get away from the beaten path. Located in the middle of the vast Central Flyway, the reservoir is on an important flight path for migratory ducks and geese. Large flocks of Canvasback Ducks as well as Snow and Blue Geese move through the Neosho River Valley in the spring and fall, and the Flint Hills contain the largest single concentra­ tion of greater prairie chickens in the United States. Food, bait, tackle, boat rentals, etc., are available near the lake. Facilities available at the public use areas are listed on the map side of this pamphlet. Please keep the area beautiful for other visitors. Avoid damaging trees and plants. Extinguish all fires, and use trash cans to dispose of refuse. Coffey County, in which John Redmond Dam and Inquiries regarding the project and its use are Reservoir is located, shares the memorable past of a State welcomed by the Resident Engineer at the Resident over which the flags of France and Spain once flew; of Office near the dam. Copies of regulations governing great pioneer trails, earth-lodge Indian villages, and sod public use of this reservoir and other information may be houses; and of turbulent times in our nation's history. obtained at the Resident Office. Our mailing address is: Now in her second 100 years, present-day Kansas is a Resident Engineer, John Redmond Resident Office, U.S. leader in agriculture, livestock, and mineral resources, a Army Corps of Engineers, Route 2, P.O. Box 71, land of modern highways and abundant water, and a Burlington, KS 66839, Telephone: AC (316) 364-2311. growing contender in industry and science. Coffey County ranks high among Kansas counties in wheat, corn, and many crops which make a prosperous diver­ sified agriculture. The John Redmond project whs authorized as "Strawn Dam." The town of Strawn was relocated six miles eastward on higher ground when the dam was constructed. The old townsite is now under water. In 1958, Congress renamed it John Redmond Dam and Reservoir for the Burlington Daily Republican's publisher, John Redmond, a beloved figure in Kansas newspaperdom who had received his training under the great William Allen White of the Emporia Gazette. One of the first to champion the causes of flood control and water conservation along the Neosho River, Mr. Red­ mond's work along these lines continued from the early 1920's until his death in 1953 at the age of 79. His dream of controlling floods in the upper Neosho had started to become a reality with the authorization of the four dams in 1950. The fertile Neosho Valley was flooded 57 times in 34 years, with the worst flood coming in 1951, one year after Congress authorized the project. Floodwaters ran 30 feet deep at the damsite and one-third million acres were under water. John Redmond Dam was pressed into flood control operation several weeks before final completion, protect­ ing the Neosho River Valley for the first time from the damaging floods. CAMPING AND PICNICKING Recreation John Redmond Reservoir has seven recreation parks which provide camping and picnicking facilities. These facilities include individual camping units (table, cooker, lantern stand, and parking pad), potable water, and sanitation facilities. Also provided are group shelters, toilet facilities, swimming beaches, and boat launching ramps.

BOATING Boating on the lake is in accordance with the Kansas boating laws and Corps of Engineers' regulations. Oper­ ate your boat in a controlled, safe manner at all times.

FISHING AND HUNTING SIGHTSEEING John Redmond Reservoir provides excellent oppor­ John Redmond Reservoir is located in the broad tunities for fishing and hunting. Principal species of fish Neosho River Valley. The rolling hills afford the visitor in the lake include white crappie, walleye, white bass, an opportunity to see many acres of agriculture and channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish grassland. Fields of wheat, corn, and maize are abundant. species. Large areas of grasses including Big Bluestem, Little The Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission Bluestem, Indian Grass, Switch Grass, Brome Grass, and has a license to 1,472 acres of the project lands for wildlife Sideoats Grama can be seen from the rolling hilltops. The management. The licensed area is known as the Otter lower areas consist of wooded cover of such species as Creek Game Management Area, and is managed pri­ elm, black walnut, hickory, ash, hackberry, cottonwood, marily for bobwhite quail, mourning dove, greater and cedar. prairie chicken, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, and deer. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has under cooperative agreement approximately 18,500 acres of project land and water areas for operation of the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is managed as part of the national migratory waterfowl program and is open to public hunting during hunting season with the exception of the area north of the Neosho River which is closed to public access from October 1 through December 31 each year. Detailed hunting information may be ob­ tained from the Refuge Manager located in Burlington, Kansas. Hunting and fishing activities are regulated by Federal and State laws. Courtesy and safety should be practiced when utilizing phblic lands to insure a pleasant recreational experience.

The middle zone or "conservation storage" provides WATERSHED 79,600 acre-feet of storage for water supply, water quality Project Data and space to contain sediment. The water supply portion Drainage area above the dam, square miles . .. 3,015 of the storage will yield 24.5 million gallons a day. The bottom zone or "inactive storage" provides 2,500 LAKE acre-feet of space to contain sediment. Elevations, feet above mean sea level Releases of water are made through the low flow pipes, over the spillway, or a combination of both. Top of flood control pool 1,068.0 Releases are generally less than bankfull, however, dur­ Top of conservation pool (normal pool). .1,039.0 ing large flood periods they may range up to the bankfull Top of inactive pool 1,020.0 flows of 12,000 cubic feet per second. The release rate de­ Surface area of lake, acres pends on such factors as the inflow rate, amount of water At top of flood control pool 31,700 in storage, river flows downstream, and weather condi­ tions. A warning device is sounded at the dam prior to At top of conservation pool 9,400 making a change in releases. At top of inactive pool 610 Storage capacities, acre-feet BENEFITS Flood control pool 562,500 John Redmond Dam and Reservoir benefits an area Conservation pool 79,600 of 312,000 acres of agricultural land and urban areas in Inactive pool 2,500 the Neosho River Basin above Pensacola Lake. The lake Lake total 644,600 has been credited with preventing an estimated $27,358,- Shoreline length, miles 000 in flood damages through June 30, 1975. At top of conservation pool 59

LOCATION DAM John Redmond Dam is located on the Neosho River Embankment about 3 miles north and 1 mile west of Burlington, Kan­ Length of dam, feet 20,740 sas, just off U.S. Highway 75. Maximum height of dam above streambed, feet ' 86 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT Spillway Designed and built by the Tulsa District Corps of Type Concrete, gated Engineers at a cost of $29,264,000, the project was started Length of Spillway, gross, feet 680 in 1959 and placed in flood control operation in 1964. The Tainter gates (14), size, width and height, feet 40 John Redmond project was authorized by Congress by 35 under the Flood Control Act of 1950. • Chitlet Works OPERATION Low flow pipes (2), diameter in inches 24 John Redmond Reservoir is one of four Corps of Water supply pipe (1), diameter in inches ... 30 Engineers' lakes in Kansas designed primarily for control of floods and low flow regulation in the upper Neosho River Valley. The other projects are Council Grove Lake on the Neosho River, completed in 1964; Marion Lake on the upper Cottonwood River, completed in 1968; and the authorized Cedar Point Lake on Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Cottonwood River. In addition to flood control, John Redmond Reservoir serves the purposes of water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife. John Redmond Reservoir, in order to accomplish its function, has three kinds of storage that are separated by zones from the top to the bottom of the lake; flood con­ trol, conservation, and inactive storage. The top zone or "flood control storage" provides 562,500 acre-feet reserved to catch floodwaters and will remain empty except during times of flood control opera­ tion. An acre-foot is 325,850 gallons — enough water to cover one acre to a depth of one foot. M Lebo

To Ottawa — 30 Miles- r@€> Dam & Reservoir • Aedmond

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\ LEGEND

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• U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFflCE: 1977-772-332 CAMPING AND PICNICKING FISHING Recreation John Redmond Reservoir has seven recreation parks Safety Suggestions Keep clear of boat channels, ski and swimming areas. which provide camping and picnicking facilities. These Be careful when casting facilities include individual camping units (table, cooker, If trolling, watch water ahead and traffic. lantern stand, and parking pad), potable water, and Be considerate of others. sanitation facilities. Also provided are group shelters, toilet facilities, swimming beaches, and boat launching SKIING ramps. Always wear an approved personal flotation device. BOATING Stay in open water. Watch for swimmers. Have at least two people in the boat, one to run the Boating on the lake is in accordance with the Kansas boat, and one to watch the skier. boating laws and Corps of Engineers' regulations. Oper­ ate your boat in a controlled, safe manner at all times. HUNTING Know the correct way to carry your gun. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Always point the gun muzzle in a safe direction. Be sure of your target. Keep the safety on or the chamber unloaded until ready to fire. Never lay a loaded gun on bottom of boat. Never shoot a rifle at the water.

FISHING AND HUNTING SIGHTSEEING HAZARDS John Redmond Reservoir provides excellent oppor­ John Redmond Reservoir is located in the broad John Redmond Reservoir has numerous underwater tunities for fishing and hunting. Principal species of fish Neosho River Valley. The rolling hills afford the visitor hazards. Be especially watchful for submerged stumps, in the lake include white crappie, walleye, white bass, an opportunity to see many acres of agriculture and logs, fences, and other obstructions — particularly in BOATING channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish grass and. Fields of wheat, corn, and maize are abundant. shallow water and along the shoreline. species. Large areas of grasses including Big Bluestem, Little Don't overload your boat. Bluestem, Indian Grass, Switch Grass, Brome Grass, and The Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission Boats must not approach closer to the dam than indi­ STANDARD has a license to 1,472 acres of the project lands for wildlife Sideoats Grama can be seen from the rolling hilltops. The cated by warning signs or safety buoy lines. management. The licensed area is known as the Otter lower areas consist of wooded cover of such species as If your boat upsets, stick to it and use it as a life per- WATERWAY • elm, black walnut, hickory, ash, hackberry, Cottonwood, Creek Game Management Area, and is managed pri­ server. MARKERS 12 marily for bobwhite quail, mourning dove, greater and cedar. Standing in a boat can lead to disaster. ITMARNS MAV APR!01 DANGl AR ON R< A prairie chicken, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, and deer. Help a Ixiat in distress. Give help and if you need BUOY OR ON SH0R1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has under help, ask for it. cooperative agreement approximately 18,500 acres of Each boat mast have an approved flotation device for project land and water areas for operation of the Flint each passenger. O -lills National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is managed as a(Lett)PORT ISTARBOARD(Right) Q part of the national migratory waterfowl program and is SWIMMING SlOf SlOf open to public hunting during hunting season with the CHANNIl MAKMRS SPEEDC0N1R0UED LIMITS ASAREAS INDICATED AND exception of the area north of the Neosho River which is Swim and wade only where you are familiar with (looking Upstream) INSIDE CIRCll closed to public access from October 1 through December the water depths and the bottom. 31 each year. Detailed hunting information may be ob­ Don't swim alone. There's safety in numbers. tained from the Refuge Manager located in Burlington, Be sure water is deep enough before diving. Kansas. Be careful of overestimating your swimming ability Hunting and fishing activities are regulated by as water distances are deceiving. i Federal and State laws. Courtesy and safety should be Watch children and non-swimmers closelv. THIS HAG INDICAUS THAT Swimmers should avoid regular boat channels, A OIVIR IS BHOW TH1 MOORING BUOY DO NOT PASS practiced when utilizing public lands to insure a pleasant SURFACl IN THl ARIA MARKED PRIVATEIY MAINTAINED BE ANDT)AE E BUOYN SHORE recreational experience. launching ramps, and docks. STAY A*A>

The middle zone or "conservation storage" provides WATERSHED 79,600 acre-feet of storage for water supply, water quality Drainage area above the dam, square miles . .. 3,015 Project Data and space to contain sediment. The water supply portion Early Day History Visitors Welcome of the storage will yield 24.5 million gallons a day. John Redmond Reservoir lies in a broad flat valley LAKE The bottom zone or "inactive storage" provides 2,500 with margins of the gently rolling Flint Hills — a acre-feet of space to contain sediment. Elevations, feet above mean sea level bluestem grass region of natural scenic beauty. The 59- Releases of water are made through the low flow mile shoreline around the reservoir provides excellent :)ipes, over the spillway, or a combination of both. Top of flood control pool 1,068.0 Top of conservation pool (normal pool). .1,039.0 camping areas and retreats for vacationists who like to Releases are generally less than bankfull, however, dur­ Top of inactive pool 1,020.0 get away from the beaten path. Located in the middle of ing large flood periods they may range up to the bankfull the vast Central Fly way, the reservoir is on an important flows of 12,000 cubic feet per second. The release rate de­ Surface area of lake, acres flight path for migratory ducks and geese. Large flocks of pends on such factors as the inflow rate, amount of water At top of flood control pool 31,700 Canvasback Ducks as well as Snow and Blue Geese move in storage, river flows downstream, and weather condi­ At top of conservation pool 9,400 through the Neosho River Valley in the spring and fall, tions. A warning device is sounded at the dam prior to At top of inactive pool 610 and the Flint Hills contain the largest single concentra­ making a change in releases. tion of greater prairie chickens in the United States. Storage capacities, acre-feet Food, bait, tackle, boat rentals, etc., are available near BENEFITS Flood control pool 562,500 the lake. Facilities available at the public use areas are Conservation pool 79,600 listed on the map side of this pamphlet. John Redmond Dam and Reservoir benefits an area Inactive pool 2,500 Please keep the area beautiful for other visitors. of 312,000 acres of agricultural land and urban areas in Lake total 644,600 Avoid damaging trees and plants. Extinguish all fires, the Neosho River Basin above Pensacola Lake. The lake and use trash cans to dispose of refuse. has been credited with preventing an estimated $27,358,- Shoreline length, miles Coffey County, in which John Redmond Dam and Inquiries regarding the project and its use are 000 in flood damages through June 30, 1975. At top of conservation pool 59 Reservoir is located, shares the memorable past of a State welcomed by the Resident Engineer at the Resident over which the flags of France and Spain once flew; of Office near the dam. Copies of regulations governing LOCATION DAM great pioneer trails, earth-lodge Indian villages, and sod public use of this reservoir aid other information may be houses; and of turbulent times in our nation's history. obtained at the Resident Ofiice. Our mailing address is: John Redmond Dam is located on the Neosho River Embankment Now in her second 100 years, present-day Kansas is a Resident Engineer, John Re< mond Resident Office, U.S. about 3 miles north and 1 mile west of Burlington, Kan­ Length of dam, feet 20,740 leader in agriculture, livestock, and mineral resources, a Army Corps of Engineers, Route 2, P.O. Box 71, sas, just off U.S. Highway 75. Maximum height of dam above streambed, feet land of modern highways and abundant water, and a Burlington, KS 66839, Telephone: AC (316) 364-2311. 86 growing contender in industry and science. Coffey HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT County ranks high among Kansas counties in wheat, Spillway corn, and manv crops which make a prosperous diver­ Designed and built by the Tulsa District Corps of Type Concrete, gated sified agriculture. Engineers at a cost of $29,264,000, the project was started Length of Spillway, gross, feet b80 The John Redmond project was authorized as in 1959 and placed in flood control operation in 1964. The Tainter gates (14), size, width and height, feet 40 "Strawn Dam." The town of Strawn was relocated six John Redmond project was authorized by Congress by 35 miles eastward on higher ground when the dam was under the Flood Control Act of 1950. constructed. The old townsite is now under water. Outlet Works In 1958, Congress renamed it John Redmond Dam OPERATION Low flow pipes (2), diameter in inches 24 and Reservoir for the Burlington Dailv Republican's Water supply pipe (1), diameter in inches ... 30 John Redmond Reservoir is one of four Corps of publisher. John Redmond, a beloved figure in Kansas Engineers' lakes in Kansas designed primarily for control newspaperdom who had received his training under the of floods and low flow regulation in the upper Neosho great William Allen White of the Emporia Gazette. One River Valley. The other projects are Counci Grove Lake of the first to champion the causes ot flood control and on the Neosho River, completed in 1964; Marion Lake on water conservation along the Neosho River. Mr. Red­ the upper Cottonwood River, completed in 1968; and the mond's work along these lines continued from the early authorized Cedar Point Lake on Cedar Creek, a tributary 1920's until his death in 1953 at the age of 79. His dream of the Cottonwood River. In addition to flood control, of controlling floods in the upper Neosho had started to John Redmond Reservoir serves the purposes of water become a reality with the authorization of the four dams supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife. in 1950. John Redmond Reservoir, in order to accomplish its The fertile Neosho Valley was flcxxied 57 times in 34 function, has three kinds of storage that are separated by years, with the worst flood coming in 1951. one year after zones from the top to the bottom of the lake: flood con­ Congress authorized the protect Floodwaters ran 30 feet deep at the damsite and one-third million acres were trol, conservation, and inactive storage. under water. The top zone or "flood control storage" provides 56Z500 acre-feet reserved to catch floodwaters and will John Redmond Dam wa^ pressed into flood control remain empty except during times of flood control opera­ operation several weeks tefore final completion, protect­ tion. An acre-foot is 325,850 gallons — enough water to ing the Neosho River Valley for the first time from the cover one acre to a depth of one foot damaging floods FLINT HILLS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PERMITTED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES EFFECTIVE October 1,1977 To September 30, 1978

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 1, 1966 on 18,500 acres of land within the flood pool of John Redmond Reservoir.

The refuge is managed primarily for migratory waterfowl. Intensive use by ducks and geese occurs during the spring and fall migration. Farmlands are managed on a share basis with area farmers. The refuge crop share provides food for migrating waterfowl and resident wildlife. Numerous ponds and a system of shallow marshes provide additional waterfowl habitat.

Waterfowl management requires that portions of the refuge be closed to public access during periods of intensive waterfowl use. Public access is restricted during the period October 1 through the end of the waterfowl hunting season of each year.

All public access, use, or recreational activity not expressly permitted is prohibited.

SPORT FISHING

John Redmond Reservoir offers excellent fishing for channel catfish, crappie and white bass. Fishing within the refuge is governed by applicable fishing regulations established by the Kansas Forestry Fish & Game Commission.

After waterfowl hunting seasons end, all waters within the refuge are open to fishing. Vehicle access is restricted to existing roads.

Starting October 2, some waters are closed to fishing and public access. Closed areas are designated by signs and water buoys. Access to waters opened to fishing during this period is provided by roads shown on the included map. The Neosho River proper is open to fishing during this time. HUNTING

General Regulations (Summary)

Detailed regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Individuals are en­ couraged to check these regulations or with the Refuge Manager.

The refuge is open for public hunting of all species of migratory game birds, upland game birds, and all other animals for which the Kansas Forestry Fish & Game Commission has established open season in thisarea. With the exception that the refuge is closed to FIREARM deer Hunting, -

All state and federal hunting regulations apply. The following special regulations also apply to hunting on refuge lands.

1. The use of rifled firearms is not permitted.

2. Vehicle traffic is restricted to existing roads.

3. Dogs may be used to hunt and retrieve game birds and small game animals only. Dogs may not be used for hunting fur bearing animals and non-game animals, either by sight or trailing by scent.

4. Hunting blinds may be constructed by the public but limited to above ground con­ struction of a temporary nature. Constructed blinds become the property of the Gov­ ernment. Daily occupancy of blinds will be determined on a first come first serve basis regardless of ownership.

Regulations following the close of the waterfowl season through September 30.

The entire refuge, excluding special recreation areas designated on the map is open to public hunting in accordance with the general regulations.

Regulations for the Period October 2 through the close of waterfowl hunting season.

Deer hunting with bow and arrow is permitted on the Hartford, Eagle Creek and Strawn Units (see map).

Hunting is permitted on the Hartford, Eagle Creek and Strawn Units (see map).

The interior boundaries of all Hunting Units are formed by the south bank of the Neosho River. The Neosho River is not open to hunting. As a safety measure the Neosho River is closed to hunting and the possession or transportation of firearms on the river is prohibited.

Special Note: The exterior boundaries of refuge lands open to hunting are posted with signs designating them as open to hunting. The area behind the signs is refuge land. Land in front of the sign is private property. Landowner permission is required to hunt or enter upon these lands. Hunting access, via boat, to the Strawn Hunting Area is available from launch­ ing areas below the downstream refuge boundary. During flood conditions boundary signs may be under water; locations of closed hunting areas is the responsibility of the individual. FLINT HILLS Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE was established under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act on a part of the area acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the John Redmond Dam and Reservoir. This flood control project is administered by the District Engineer, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

JOHN REDMOND RESERVOIR

LEGEND

REFUGE BOUNDARY EAGLE CREEK HUNTING UNIT HARTFORD HUNTING UNIT WATERS OPEN TO FISHING & BOATING

PUBLIC ROADS SPECIAL RECREATION AREAS - NO HUNTING STRAWN HUNTING AREA FISHING ACCESS POINTS (1) DESIGNATED FIREARM TRAVEL ROUTE (During waterfowl hunting season.) MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

Boating and Water Skiing are permitted on all waters open to fishing and shall be in accord- ance"with the Kansas Boating Act. Boating access is available at the Strawn and Hartford Hamps or by entering the Neosho River channel from the reservoir at the down stream boundary of the refuge.

Picnicking and Camping, Sightseeing, Photography, Hiking, and Wild Food Gathering are permitted, except within areas closed to public access during the period October 1 through the end of waterfowl hunting season. Areas closed to public access during this period are appropriately marked.

Fires may be built. Individuals constructing fires are responsible and must thoroughly ex­ tinguish them before leaving.

Trash barrels are provided at major traffic points.

SAFETY NOTES

Awareness of the following conditions will contribute to your safety during your visit to the Flint Hills Refuge.

1. All refuge roads are subject to flooding

2. Shotguns will be in use on refuge lands open to public hunting.

3. The flooded channels of the Neosho River and its tributaries are lined with dead and dying timber. Falling limbs are a hazard to boaters particularly during periods of high winds.

4. No facilities or lifeguards are provided for swimming. Sunken debris, present in all areas, from past floods make swimming unsafe. Swimming is not permitted.

For more information about activities permitted on the refuge, or for information on the refuge in general, visit the refuge office in Hartford, Kansas or write to the Refuge Manager, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 128, Hartford, Kansas 66854.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

RL-63520-8 September 1974

GSA-KC-770291 D-l