Several different dam sites were studied during the Arkansas River basin investigation. A good source of water relatively close to Wichita was found in the Ninnescah River, eventually leading to the construction of Cheney Reservoir to supply municipal water to Wichita. Even with the new source, however, the bureau recognized a need for future supplies, not only for Wichita, but also for the entire region. Early in the inventory of the basin, the Corbin Reservoir site on the Chikaskia River emerged as one of the best sources of water for southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, and it soon became an important element in the planning.

During the bureau's analysis, the Corps of Engineers authorized three dam sites on the Walnut River, at El Dorado, Towanda, and Douglass. A multipurpose dam and reservoir were eventually constructed at El Dorado, but the water was appropriated for use by that city. Any supply from a dam at Towanda would be earmarked for Augusta, with low flow augmentation for the lower Walnut River. The Douglass site could have been used to supplement Wichita's supply, but it would only serve as a short term and very expensive solution.

Seeing that the corps' projects would not suffice, dam sites on the tributaries of the Ninnescah River at Murdock and Norwich were looked into, but later rejected due to water quality problems. Formulation of plans to draw additional water from the Equus Beds was restricted due to conflicts with the state water plan. During the planning, the Chikaskia River was also considered, although it had been dropped earlier due to the expense and distance involved in pumping water to Wichita. As the possibility of sources of good quality water near Wichita diminished, the quality and quantity of the Chikaskia River increased in value, while the expense became less important.

In the early 1950's, the possibility of a reservoir on the Chikaskia River came into sharper focus when business research teams from the universities of Kansas and Oklahoma entered into a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation to make population estimates and determine potential water requirements for areas in Kansas and Oklahoma. Cities in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma expressed interest in additional water supplies, prompting a look for an alternative which could meet their needs.

A reconnaissance report of the area was completed in 1955, which presented information on groundwater availability and potential reservoir sites. It concluded that the most feasible location for a dam would be the Corbin Reservoir site. In 1956 the Corbin Reservoir Development Association formed, in response to the report, to represent potential users of the project and to sponsor further study. From then until 1962, activity generally was limited to assembling and providing information. In June of 1962 more intensive research began with the initiation of feasibility studies, and the 89th Congress officially authorized work on the report with Public Law 89-561, dated September 7. 1966.

In February, 1967, a preliminary draft of the feasibility report, Plan of Development for Chikaskia Project, was completed and distributed for review by local, state, and federal agencies. Norman G. Flaigg, an area engineer for the bureau, said, "The report concludes that the Chikaskia project is an economically justified and financially feasible development and proposes Congressional authorization under the federal reclamation laws substantially in accordance with the plan of development set forth in the report." (Water Department Files). On April 25, 1967, the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution endorsing the Chikaskia studies. A copy of the resolution was sent to City Manager Russell McClure on April 28, by Martin Dondlinger, president of the chamber.

The Wichita City Commission approved a letter from Mayor Clarence E. Vollmer on May 23, 1967, which expressed an interest in and endorsed the bureau's feasibility study on the Chikaskia River. However, before more action was taken, activities were suspended when the bureau determined increases in construction costs and interest rates had made the benefit-cost ratio marginal for the project.

For a few years nothing was done. Then, as Wichita and the surrounding area continued to grow, and the desire to develop a flood control plan in Oklahoma gained momentum, city officials and the Kansas Water Resources Board petitioned Congress to study the Corbin Reservoir for use as a water supply, as well as for flood control. In October, 1973, the Bureau of Reclamation received the authorization to resume its feasibility investigation of the area. 
A preplanning conference was held on January 24, 1974, attended by Wynkoop, the new water director. The study officially commenced on September 10, 1974, with a public meeting in Wellington, Kansas. The main focus on the project concerned a water supply for Wichita and Wellington, and flood control for Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Wichita re-emphasized its support for the study on September 3, in a letter from Mayor Garry L. Porter to Joe Hall, the planning officer for the Bureau of Reclamation. After referring to Wichita's endorsement of the bureau's study in 1967, the letter said, "The city of Wichita, therefore, wishes to reference its current position and offer our support in your current study. There is a strong possibility that our future industrial and municipal water supply needs will increase beyond the capabilities of our present resources. We, therefore, would be in need of an excellent quality source such as the Chikaskia River." (Water Department Files). It went on to offer support and assistance in the study.

While the bureau worked on its preliminary report, local efforts also began. On August 14, 1975, the City-County Planning Department released a report on the future water needs of the Wichita area. It predicted that by the year 2000, 93 percent of Sedgwick County would be