Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
A Pictorial History of Early KC Water on the Missouri and Kansas Rivers - 1910-1930
The presentation is a short history of the KC Water Department from 1910 to about 1930 and the water department's work on the Missouri and Kansas rivers.
Using the archived photographs from water department records, Shaun O'Kelley will present a short history of early Kansas City water and KC's dependence on the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. From Gumbo Point and QuindaroB end to the 1926 treatment plant and the tunnel under the Missouri River. Lots of Historic Photos.
Meet Your Presenter
Shaun O'Kelley
, P.E. Division Engineer
Shaun O'Kelley is P.E. Division Engineer, Kansas City Water Services, Wastewater Treatment Division and has been with Kansas City Water Services for 28 years, the last 20 as design engineer, project manager and incineration trainer for wastewater treatment.
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Resources & Links
Dig deeper for more info on this topic.
- KC Water Services Website
- “Drinking Water’s Murky Past” – Kansas City Water Services.
- HISTORY – “Source to Tap – A History of Missouri’s Water Supplies” by Loring Bullard, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks
- FOR TEACHERS – “KC to the Sea” – Curriculum on stormwater pollution by KC Water Services
- SCIENCE – Missouri Water Resource Center – USGS
Related Big Muddy Speaker Series Past Presentations
- "History of Water Pollution in Kansas City" - John Dunn, EPA (with video),
- "Drinking the Big Muddy" - Mike Klender, KC Water Services (with video), Sept. 22, 2015
- "Kansas City’s Sewer System – 'Where We’ve Come From and Where We’re Headed'" - Lara Isch, KC Water Services (with video), March 12, 2014
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in Kansas City
is hosted by these wonderful partners!
- Little Blue River Watershed Coalition
- Friends of Lakeside Nature Center
- Missouri River Relief
- Healthy Rivers Partnership
- Kansas City Digital Video
- Lights On - KCK
Thanks to all of our venue hosts for making this possible! Click here for a list of upcoming presentations» The Big Muddy Speaker Series is also held monthly in Rocheport and St. Charles.
Recordings of Presentations
Kansas City Digital Video has been recording Big Muddy Speaker Series presentations. These are available on their website at this link. Some contain synchronized powerpoint presentations. We will be posting these to the archived presentation pages on bigmuddyspeakers.org. Thanks Micheal Morgan and crew for putting this important archive online!
Upcoming Presentations
Leave No Trace Training on the Barge
October 14, 2026St. Louis, MO
Join us for a special Big Muddy Speaker Series on the Living Lands & Waters Barge where Perry Whitaker will lead us in a Leave No Trace Training.
See Event
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event