State officials confirm no threat to public or wildlife; range to reopen this month
TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) today announced that the Cheney Shooting Range in Reno County will reopen later this month following an investigation assisted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) into potential lead contamination. Results from soil, groundwater, and stream surveys confirm the range is safe for public use with no threat to the public or wildlife.
“We took every necessary step to ensure there is no threat to the public or wildlife,” said KDWP Secretary Christopher Kennedy. “I understand the delayed reopening was frustrating for some users, but given our commitment to protecting both people and wildlife, we prioritized a thorough investigation before resuming operations.
KDWP delayed the range’s reopening after the standard winter closure earlier this year, due to a range user’s concerns about lead contamination. Due to the range’s proximity to Cheney Reservoir, which supplies drinking water for Wichita, KDWP ordered independent soil and groundwater testing and conducted stream surveys along the North Fork Ninnescah River above the reservoir. The range is operated by KDWP and located on land owned by the federal Bureau of Reclamation. Testing conducted by a third party in April 2025 included surface soil, subsurface soil, and groundwater sampling. Additional groundwater testing in July 2025 increased the number of sample sites between the range and the river to assess potential lead migration. Those testing results were reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Key findings include:
- Surface soil near the rifle and handgun backstops showed elevated lead levels, which is expected for an active shooting range due to bullet debris.
- Subsurface soil samples did not indicate lead movement underground.
- Groundwater samples showed no dissolved lead at levels of concern.
- Stream surveys conducted in 2025 showed no significant differences in fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities compared to surveys conducted in 2002. In fact, fish numbers improved in some areas, and the Arkansas Darter, a species in need of conservation, was documented in 2025 but not in 2002.
“The investigation of the Cheney Shooting Range completed by KDWP has shown that there has been no migration of lead contamination from the backstop/impact area and lead has not impacted the shallow groundwater aquifer, which flows into the North Fork Ninnescah River,” KDHE Deputy Secretary and Director of Environment Kate Gleeson said. “The operation of the Cheney Shooting Range is in compliance with applicable regulations.”
Secretary Kennedy added, “Now that we can safely say that lead remnants at the Cheney Shooting Range are not posing a threat to the public or wildlife, I have charged our staff with reopening the range no later than October 25, 2025, so hunters can adjust their sights and scopes before the regular deer firearms season opens in December.
Previously planned renovations to the Cheney Shooting Range will begin in 2026, including upgrades to accommodate more users and sound attenuation for a safer, more pleasant experience. Reopening updates and range information will be posted here as they become available.
