The Kansas Department of Agriculture announced Oct. 21 that Chief Engineer Earl Lewis will retire as chief engineer of the Division of Water Resources effective Nov. 20.
Lewis has served as chief engineer for six years, during which he has led KDADWR in its efforts to serve water users in the state under Kansas law, including the administration of more than 30,000 active water rights, four interstate water compacts and the state’s program regulating dams and other water structures.
Lewis retires after nearly 35 years serving the state of Kansas in the water resources field. He began his career at KDA-DWR in 1992, then spent more than 20 years at the Kansas Water Office, where he served as director for two years before being appointed chief engineer with KDA-DWR.
