The West Fork Big Blue Watershed covers an area of 537 square miles in central Kansas. The hydrology of the area is dominated by the Big Blue River which flows through the watershed, as well as several smaller tributaries. The area experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Snowfall is common in the winter months, with an average snowpack of around 10 inches. Surface water in the watershed is dominated by the Tuttle Creek Reservoir, which was constructed in the 1960s for flood control and recreation purposes. The reservoir also provides drinking water for several nearby communities. Interesting climatic trends in the area include an increase in temperature and precipitation over the last several decades, as well as an increase in extreme weather events such as droughts and floods.