Wildcat Creek (Kansas River tributary) facts for kids
Wildcat Creek is a creek located in Riley County, Kansas. Sometimes, this creek experiences floods.
Contents
Wildcat Creek Flooding
Wildcat Creek has flooded many times. Big floods happened in Manhattan, Kansas, on June 16, 2010, and again on June 2, 2011. These floods caused damage to homes, apartments, businesses, and even sports areas.
Why Wildcat Creek Floods
Wildcat Creek flows through a large area called a watershed. This watershed covers about 99.5 square miles (258 km2). A smaller part, about 8 square miles (21 km2), is inside Manhattan, Kansas. Many people live in this area, with about 7,000 to 8,000 people per square mile.
When new buildings and roads are built quickly in the city, it can make flooding worse. This rapid building can also cause:
- Erosion: Soil washing away.
- Poor water quality: The water isn't clean.
- Harm to animals: Some water animals become endangered.
- Property damage: Homes and businesses get hurt.
- Habitat loss: Animals lose their natural homes.
Many people living in apartments or mobile homes near the creek are affected by these problems. They face dirty water, floods, and their property values can go down.
Water Quality Concerns
Wildcat Creek has known problems with its water quality. It's listed as "impaired" because of too many nutrients like phosphorus, and too much bacteria. It also has low levels of dissolved oxygen, which is important for fish to breathe.
Protecting the Topeka Shiner
The creek is home to a special fish called the Topeka shiner. This fish is an endangered species. It needs very specific and clean water conditions to live. When the water quality is bad, or when floods happen, it makes it harder for the Topeka shiner to survive.
Flooding Frequency
Flooding in the city parts of the watershed used to happen about once every 20 years. Now, it happens almost every year! For example, a big flood in 2010 caused serious damage. It also put the health of people living in the area at risk, especially those with lower incomes.
As more areas upstream (where the creek starts) become cities, the floods are expected to happen even more often. To help prevent this, a plan needs to be made and put into action.
