What’s more important, water for people or water for barge traffic on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers?

Because of the lack of rainfall, drought conditions and lower river flows, those in the barge business on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release additional water from upstream reservoirs in the greater Mississippi-Missouri watershed so that barge traffic can continue.

Never mind that many of these reservoirs already are far below their normal levels. Never mind that these reservoirs help maintain minimum river flows to ensure healthy water supplies for people along these rivers — rivers like the Kansas River, which provides water for Junction City, Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence, Eudora and many other communities.

Current plans call for substantial draw-downs at Milford, Tuttle Creek and Perry reservoirs to increase the flow of the Missouri River before it joins the Mississippi near St. Louis.

These reservoirs were built with the understanding the Corps of Engineers would have the right to lower levels when drought conditions became sufficiently severe to hinder barge traffic. At the same time, it would seem justified to ask why the barge business deserves such special treatment when there are other means, such as highway and rail transportation, that are capable of moving all the freight carried by barges.

This matter is likely to get worse, not better, because the number of people living in communities along the Kansas River is sure to increase. Demand for fresh water will increase significantly, and, in times such as these, when rainfall and the river flow is low, the reservoirs will be looked to provide enough water to maintain healthy water supplies along the river. What happens in the years to come, when Mother Nature doesn’t favor the area with sufficient rain and snow, and water levels drop to dangerous levels in these reservoirs?

Will the Corps of Engineers continue to have priority over how much reservoirs can be drained regardless of whether such action endangers the water supply for thousands of people living along the river?

Fresh water is likely eventually to become the world’s most precious resource, and it’s not too early for those looking to the future to study what can be done to make sure there are ample supplies of water to meet expected future needs, keeping in mind most estimates fall short of actual needs and there is no way to know how hungry or thirsty the Corps or barge owner may be.