Our 75th Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, February 3-4, 2026, at Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, Kansas. We are planning to follow the same format as in 2025 with a Watershed event at the Capitol Building. Without legislative support, our watershed program will not be as effective.

Draft Agenda

Registration Form

Hotel Registration Form

High School Seniors

Agriculture Related Major

Two (2) $500 Scholarships

Submit application to your Local Watershed by February 15, 2026

Criteria

Application

Watershed Partnership meeting will be April 14, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the Kansas Department of Agriculture

Here is the updated information about the upcoming O&M Workshops:

Contact Sarah Diamond with questions, executive.director@sakw.org.

February 24, 2026- Harvey County East Lake - Lake Hall. (note, this is the 'El Dorado' training that is being rescheduled). The lake and park are 6 miles east of Newton. The lake there is actually a watershed dam built by Whitewater River WS JD 22.

March 3, 2026 - Lincoln (Finch Theater)

The Spring Operation and Maintenance Workshop was held on April 29 - May 1, 2025 at the Decatur Conference Center - Decatur, Texas

The workshop included technical presentations and in-field demonstrations.

You can view the fact sheets at:

https://watershedcoalition.org/fact-sheets/

Watch videos of the January 15, 2025 Webinar: NRCS/Project Sponsor Responsibilities now available on the NWC YouTube Channel:National Watershed Coalition - YouTube

NWC News Release- Organization Changes 2025

Click here to view our 2025 newsletter and the membership form to become a NWC member!

2025 Newsletter and Membership Form

Sign Up Here

SAKW Annual Meeting Highlights the Role of Watershed Districts in Kansas Agriculture

75th anniversary meeting emphasizes local leadership and collaboration

The State Association of Kansas Watersheds (SAKW) will host its 75th Annual Meeting on February 3–4, 2026, at the Hotel Topeka at City Center in Topeka. The annual meeting brings together watershed district board members, landowners, agency partners, and agricultural leaders from across Kansas.

Watershed districts have long served as a cornerstone of flood protection and water management in agricultural communities, helping reduce soil loss, protect cropland, and safeguard rural infrastructure. This year’s meeting theme, “Shaping the Future of Kansas Watersheds,” reflects both the history and continued evolution of this work.

A key component of the meeting is Watershed District Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, February 3. Attendees will meet with legislators and share firsthand insights on how watershed projects support agriculture, protect communities, and provide long-term benefits to Kansas producers.

The meeting agenda includes sessions on dam maintenance and rehabilitation, emergency preparedness, watershed planning, policy updates, and innovative tools that support local decision-making. Time is also set aside for districts to share success stories and practical lessons from projects implemented across the state.

“Strong local leadership is what makes Kansas’ watershed system work,” said Dr. Sarah Diamond, Executive Director of SAKW. “This meeting is about strengthening those connections and ensuring watershed districts remain a trusted partner for agriculture and rural communities.”

Meeting details, registration, and lodging information are available at www.sakw.org

The official signing ceremony for Kansas Watershed District Day with Governor Laura Kelly will be on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Please email Marisa M. Johnson executive.secretary@sakw.org if you plan to attend the signing ceremony along with the SAKW Board of Directors.