On May 28, 1975, an informal meeting of officials from Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Bureau of Reclamation, and involved citizens, was held at the home of Oklahoma Senator Henry Bellmon, concerning the Chikaskia project. The meeting discussed a number of issues and emphasized the desire of the Blackwell area residents to develop a flood protection plan. Although a dam site at Hunnewell, Oklahoma, could serve the purpose, Corbin was favored because of financial considerations and farmer opposition in Oklahoma. Wichita was seen as "dragging its feet" on the Corbin dam site even though Wichita obviously needed it for an additional source of supply. Finally, the participants implied that if Wichita did not act soon, Oklahoma would proceed with the Hunnewell project and Bellmon, a member of the Public Works Appropriation Committee, would insure federal funding.

The meeting troubled Wynkoop and he addressed his concerns in a letter to Keith Krause on June 26, 1975. Wynkoop wrote, "it appears to me that we are being placed in a political squeeze to make a decision on a rather substantial political investment by the city of Wichita." He added that Wichita felt, "The Corbin Reservoir may be the most feasible alternative for the city of Wichita's future water supply," but that the dollar consideration required waiting for the bureau's report. Wynkoop stated that he personally believed the city should "make every effort to develop all potential water resources in the state of Kansas that are available to us" and that he thought, "It would be a mistake to allow the Hunnewell project to be developed instead of Corbin Reservoir and thus lose that potential supply of excellent quality water." (Water Department Files).

Krause responded on July 2, 1975, saying that the Water Resources Board had "advised the Bureau of Reclamation on numerous occasions of our continued interest in the total study." He also wrote that a formal recommendation on the Corbin and Hunnewell sites was not possible until the bureau's reviews were complete, although preliminary information indicated Corbin would be preferable. Finally, Krause claimed, "We are at a loss to explain the inference of 'foot dragging' by Oklahoma interests on either the part of Wichita or the Water Resources Board." (Water Department Files).

At a meeting held in Wichita on October 30, 1975, officials discussed the problems of an interstate reservoir. F.E. Withrow, Jr., of the Wichita Water Department, said the problems of bringing municipal water across a state line appeared to be insurmountable. He explained, "It would involve questions of jurisdiction and positive action by agencies on both sides of the line and both state legislatures." (Water Department Files). The Corps of Engineers said a dam at Corbin could provide flood control benefits along the Chikaskia River worth $1 million a year, if it was built to 100-year specifications, to withstand floods projected to occur once every century. Reduced farm and structural damage would result, along with increased land values. The Kansas Forestry, Fish, and Wildlife Commission said Corbin would result in the least wildlife damage of the three sites, as well as destroy less archeological material, according to Kansas Archeologist Thomas A. Witty. Finally, Withrow claimed Corbin would be the best alternative for providing water supplies to Wichita and Wellington, serving their needs to the year 2030. Hunnewell was virtually abandoned from consideration because of the political complications of a reservoir straddling a state border.

While Wichita waited for the bureau's report, the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) released a preliminary water plan entitled