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By: Aiden Hixson
The Kansas River, known locally as The Kaw, is formed from the confluence of the Smoky Hills and Republican Rivers in Junction City, KS. The other major tributary is the Big Blue River downstream near Manhattan, KS. There is a plethora of available access points with a total of 19 boat ramps (and more to come!), as well as riverside views and parks in most major cities. As settlements formed in Kansas, folks needed access to water – which is why most cities in Northeast Kansas are either right on the riverfront or very near to an access point. This means you likely have a boat ramp right near you! Check out the Friends of the Kaw Access Map for more info and a detailed map. Most people know The Kaw as a kayaking and canoeing hotspot; however, it can also provide a great place to camp and fish! The entirety of the Kansas River is public, so feel free to "Wade In" at any boat ramp, just be aware that the land along the banks is all private property unless otherwise stated.
Given the length of The Kaw, at 173 miles, each section has its own unique uses and features. Up near Junction City – you can find a crystal-clear Kaw River, in which if you look closely contains blue crawdads, minnows, and all sorts of river creatures. After continuing downstream, you enter a perfect snapshot of history that hasn’t been touched in years – due to all of the bank property belonging to the military (Fort Riley), and now converted to natural Kansas prairieland. A few more miles down and you enter the agricultural beauty of modern Kansas with a wide river surrounded by farmlands and both small and large cities. The river concludes with a land of fascinating architectural sights, such as old railroad bridges and massive towers, which dot the Kansas City skyline. Whether you’re picking up a tasty slice of pizza at Willie’s Hideout in St. George or just taking a short paddle down through urban Topeka – one of the best parts of the river is the countless eagles and the occasional great blue heron all along the riverbank!
When out on the river, you have to be safe in order to have fun – fortunately it’s not that difficult to be safe as long as you follow a few simple rules.
1. Know your skill level, when it comes to the Kaw – 5,000 cfs and below is the recommended water flow for beginner paddlers. If you’ve had experience on the river before: 8,000 cfs is typically the highest flow rate one can reach before conditions are considered hazardous for all paddlers.
a. To check flow rates, CLICK HERE or for a more user friendly experience – download the River App from the App Store or from the Google Play store.
2. Be aware of both current and future conditions when planning a trip. It’s important to keep an eye on both reservoir release rates and the weather when out on the river. Always bring enough water and sunscreen to last for the entirety of your trip (and more if possible!)
a. To check release rates: CLICK HERE. Specifically, when camping, it’s useful to have multiple weather apps to both cross reference and provide alerts – such as when lightning strikes nearby.
3. Use hand sanitizer before consuming food – the river has a very large watershed, which means there’s lots of input from a massive variety of sources – not all of which are safe to consume.
4. Almost all injuries/deaths (90% of drownings) in any body of water are due to not wearing a PFD (personal flotation device). Despite the current appearing slow and sluggish, it can be quite powerful when you least expect it, wearing a life jacket will save your life.
River flows sound complicated but if you follow the guidelines shown above, they’re not that difficult to understand. In low flow situations (5,000 cfs and below), there are ample opportunities to stop and take breaks, camp on sandbars, and time to navigate the channel. The water levels are also fairly shallow, meaning you can stand up in most sections of the river. Low flows also require a fair bit of analysis (and sometimes luck!) in finding the channel, as it can flow from one extreme of the river to the other and even go underneath sandbars. Some helpful clues as to where the channel is currently could be the fast movement of bubbles, eroded edges to sandbars, and accelerated flow. In low flow, all permanent sandbars will be visible, easily recognizable by their sheer size or by the presence of large vegetation. All sandbars as well as the river are public land, up to the high-water mark – which can be deciphered as the point in which mud/sand meet vegetation on the river’s edge.
The reason high flow (5,000 cfs+) is much more dangerous to commute for a beginner is that the river is flowing faster, providing less time for navigation. As the flow rises up closer to 8,000 cfs, sandbars disappear and there is no longer a place to stop and take breaks along the river (as previously mentioned, shore above the high water mark is private property).
The biggest hazard on the Kansas River is a variety of low-head dams, present near Belvue, Topeka, Tecumseh, Lawrence, and Kansas City. Some of these require portage, such as in Lawrence and Kansas City and some allow for navigation around – such as the engineered paddler chute in Topeka. Never go OVER a low-head dam, it may appear to be a harmless short drop/waterfall, however once you pass the lip, it’s nearly impossible to get free of the suction generated by the current. Due to these hazards, it’s important to research whichever section you choose before you go. The non-profit organization, Friends of the Kaw, has a detailed interactive map that shows each potential hazard on the river as well as further details on how to safely surpass these obstacles. To access this map, use the Access Map link or simply go to www.kansasriver.org. This webpage is an excellent resource for more paddling tips for beginners, opportunities to join guided paddle sessions/camp trips, and to learn about how the people of Kansas benefit from the river and how to continue to protect it for future generations.
If you’re interested in guided canoe trips down the river – please check out our website at www.greatblueheronoutdoors.com or feel free to call us during business hours with any questions at (785) 856-5656. Thank you and have a wonderful time on The Kaw!!
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