Numerous longtime low-streamflow records were broken in July, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The low streamflows were caused by the lack of significant rainfall and low groundwater levels in western Kansas, USGS reported.

Generally, streamflow so far in 2006 has been lower than that during the worst droughts on record in Kansas, those of the 1930s and 1950s, based on USGS records from stream gauges in operation during those periods.

Several of the record lows in July were recorded along the Smoky Hill River.

The city of Salina, which receives a portion of its drinking water from the river, had to start water conservation efforts, and the Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources, curtailed junior water-right users from diverting water from the river starting July 27.

Low streamflows also were recorded along the Cottonwood and South Fork Solomon rivers.