Last Edited: 04/04/2007

RIVER INFORMATION FORMAT

(The Kansas Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme is an indispensable map guide for the information provided below)

Stream Name:

- River Map (generally a large printable .jpg map)

• River/section Description
• River miles
• Put-in Description
• Take-out Description
• Anticipated Hazards
• Comments
• Minimum Flow / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Difficulty / Class(skill level):

  Legend: (RL) = River Left side when floating downstream  /  (RR) = River Right side when floating downstream / USGS=United States Geological Survey / USACOE=United States Army Corps of Engineers / KDWP=Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks

  RIVER ADVISORIES:

  • Most Kansas streams have poor access. This means generally muddy bank conditions, tall weeds, some steep and slippery slopes.  Always watch for poison ivy and stinging nettle.  Wear long pants and tall rubber boots, then change into more comfortable clothes at the closest sand or gravel bar after launching.
  • Water quality is generally poor.  Wash your hands and disinfect prior to eating.
  • Winds are a concern on most Kansas rivers.  Watch the weather predictions prior to your float trip.
  • Strainers and logjams are always a concern.  Steer your craft away from these.
  • At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand.

  ---

Smoky Hill River w/4 sections listed:

• Solomon, KS to Abilene, KS.  Use old Hwy 40 (4th st) for your shuttle road, ~9.0 miles.
• 16.0 river miles
• Put-in: Solomon, KS, South of town on the Solomon Rd (listed incorrectly in the Gazetteer as Barn Rd), Use the bridge, just upstream and on river right.  Wind through downtown Solomon to E. Main. Turn South on Pine St.  Head South on Solomon Rd (Pine St). Across from the access, you will see the confluence of the Solomon and Smoky Hill Rivers.
• Alt Access: Holland Rd. bridge, about 5 miles East of Solomon, KS on old Hwy 40. Best access is on RL, just down stream from the bridge.
• Take-out: Abilene, KS - Hwy 15 bridge, South side or river under the bridge.
• Caution: Class II+ rapids (may need to scout); some downed trees & strainers; access fair. River corridor is fairly protected from winds.
• good year around flow, fun scenic float w/easy shuttle
• 350 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II+ - does contain some minor rapids and a number of strainers, so caution should be used.
• Hwy 15 (South of Abilene) to Enterprise, KS. Use old Hwy 40 or CR 2200 for your shuttle road
• 11.0 river miles
• Put-in: Abilene, KS - Hwy 15 bridge (RR), South side or river under the bridge.
• Take-out: Enterprise, KS bridge (RR) over the Smoky Hill river, Hwy 43, South side and upstream.  Use the concrete drainage swale.
• Caution: Class II+ rapids (may need to scout); some downed trees & strainers; access fair. River corridor is fairly protected from winds.
• good year around flow, fun scenic float w/easy shuttle
• 350 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II+ - does contain some minor rapids and a number of strainers, so caution should be used.
• Enterprise, KS to Chapman, KS. Use old Hwy 40 for your shuttle road.
• 20.0 river miles
• Put-in: Enterprise, KS bridge over the Smoky Hill river, off Hwy 43, South side and upstream.  Use the concrete drainage swale.
• Take-out: Chapman, KS bridge over the Smoky Hill River. South side. Has some room for parking. Access is steep, muddy and poor.  River corridor is fairly protected from winds.
• Caution: Class II+ rapids (need to scout); some downed trees & strainers
• good year around flow, fun scenic float w/easy shuttle. Long winding trip. Should have good flow before attempting.
• 350 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II+ - does contain some minor rapids and a number of strainers, so caution should be used.
• (Section around Junction City, KS) - Hwy 77 to 6^th St. bridge in Junction City, KS
• - River map - Hwy 177 - Junction City, KS only
• 9.0 river miles
• Put-in: Hwy 77 bridge (RL) to access South of Junction City, KS under the Hwy 77 bridge
• Take-out: 6^th Street bridge - Junction City (RL), under the bridge. Access is steep, muddy, and poor
• Caution: Class II+ rapids (need to scout); some downed trees & strainers; wind advisory. River corridor is fairly open and susceptible to winds.
• good year around flow, fun scenic float w/easy shuttle
• 345 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II+ - does contain some minor rapids, so caution should be used

• Milford Reservoir to Junction City, KS
• 7.0 river miles
• Put-in: Just below the tubes at Milford Reservoir at the South Outlet Park fishermen's accres (RR), about 300 yds below the outlet
• Take-out: K-18 - (Grant Ave. Park) bridge on (RR)
• Caution: watch for downed trees and strainers / Access is generally fair
• Must have good flow from Milford Reservoir, check USGS or USACOE outflow levels
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class I
• Clay Center, KS to Broughton Bridge
• 8.0 river miles
• Put-in: Hwy 15 bridge - South side, under the bridge on (RR)
• Take-out: Broughton Bridge (RL) - The current status of the Broughton Bridge, It is now rebuilt and has been open to vehicles since January 2004. KDWP has said that they and several area non-profit hunting groups and the Junction City Chamber of Commerce have shown interest in building a boat ramp and parking area near the bridge.
• Caution: watch for downed trees and strainers / Access is generally fair
• Scenic
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class I+
• Broughton bridge to  Milford Reservoir
• 9.0 river miles
• Put-in: Broughton Bridge - closed to vehicles, but still accessible (RL)
• Take-out: Milford Reservoir - KDWP boat access
• Caution: watch for downed trees and strainers / Access is generally fair
• Scenic with some lake water
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class I
• Concordia, KS to access off county road below County Road bridge
• 7.0 river miles
• Put-in: Hwy 81 bridge (RL), north of Concordia - difficult access in rainy weather
• Take-out: River Road access (RR) -  North off Hwy 9, 4 1/2 miles East of Concordia
• Caution: watch for downed trees and strainers / Access is generally fair
• Very scenic
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class I+
• (Many other upstream sections area runnable with poor access and difficult landowner permission issues)

• NOTE: Use a Kansas Gazetteer to help with directions and roads
• Hwy Bridge north of Waterville to Waterville, KS
• 5.0 river miles
• Put-in: Bridge - RL - North west of Waterville, KS on County gravel road
• Take-out: Blue River bridge - RL,  North of Waterville, KS
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Very scenic;  good gravel bar camping
• 300 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II
• Waterville, KS to County Bridge east of Waterville
• 6.5 river miles
• Put-in: Blue River bridge - North of Waterville, KS
• Take-out: County bridge - RL,  East of Waterville, KS / Access is poor in wet  weather. Take Road #7 (Fawn Creek School Rd)
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Very scenic; good gravel bar camping
• 350 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II
• County bridge to Blue Rapids, KS
• 3.5 river miles
• Put-in: County bridge - RL - East of Waterville, KS / Access is poor in wet  weather. Road #7 (Fawn Creek School Rd)
• Take-out: Blue Rapids (K-77 bridge - RR) / muddy after rains / poor access
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Very scenic; good gravel bar camping
• 350 cfs
• Class II

• Marysville, KS to Blue Rapids, KS (above Tuttle Cr Reservoir)
• 18.0 river miles
• Put-in: Marysville, KS (RR) - Hwy 36 bridge, west of Marysville
• Take-out: Blue Rapids - multi-day float - (2 days)
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• 300 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II
• Blue Rapids, KS to Black Vermillion River (confluence)
• 12.5 river miles (plus .6 mi up the Black Vermillion River)
• Put-in: Blue Rapids (K-77 bridge - RR) / muddy after rains / poor access
• Alternate Put-in:  Launch upstream 3.5 miles at the county bridge between Blue Rapids & Waterville. Road #7 (Fawn Creek School Rd)
• Take-out: Black Vermillion River confluence - RL. Very muddy / very poor access: CAUTION: Will need high clearance 4-wheel drive to access the take-out located in the public lands area of the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area. Steep muddy bank at the take-out.  Suggest placing a rope tied to a tree placed at the bank's edge.
• Alternate Take-Out #1:  Paddle up the Black Vermillion (.6 mi) to a bridge.  Best access on (RL). Good choice in case of muddy access down to the confluence.
• Alternate Take-Out #2:  Continue on down (11.5 miles)  towards Tuttle Cr Lake. Use the boat ramp at Swede Creek (RR) off Swede Creek Rd.  TIP: Use a US Corps of Engineers Tuttle Creek Lake map for finding this ramp.
• Alternate Take-Out #3: Continue on down ( 7.5 miles) towards Tuttle Cr Lake. Use the boat ramps at the Timber Creek Marsh & Boat Ramp (RR) off Dial Rd. TIP: Use a US Corps of Engineers Tuttle Creek Lake map for finding this ramp.
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor at any of the above accesses.
• Very scenic; rarely run; mostly public lands; good gravel bar camping; very high wildlife & scenic values; Usually plenty of water since the Big Blue and Little Blue have joined just upstream of Blue Rapids.  Beautiful run!
• 410 cfs (taken by the combination of the Little Blue gauge at Barnes, KS + the Big Blue gauge at Marysville, KS) / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners
• Class II
• Rocky Ford to Hwy 24  Blue River bridge KDWP access (below Tuttle Creek Reservoir)
• 7.0 river miles
• Put-in: Rocky Ford - KDWP fishing area (RL)
• Take-out: Hwy 24 - Blue River bridge boat access (RR)
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is good
• Scenic float - check USGS or USACOE gauges for adequate dam release water
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II
• - CAUTION: March 2003 - A single landowner has recently banded together to prohibit public use of the public waters that flow on the Blue River.  His land is on the river left side just two miles upstream from the Hwy 24 access.  Another landowner claims his canoe was stolen, sandbars have been trashed, and his duck blind has been vandalized.  No evidence has been submitted or complaints ever filed with the authorities.  The single landowner has left written notices on the private vehicles of any "perceived" river users of this section left at the Hwy 24 Blue River bridge access.  He has waived a shotgun from behind his "duck blind" in one documented incident.  Manhattan Parks & Recreation gave notice that they will place a permanent sign at the above access with a warning "NOT to float this section of river upstream of the Blue River bridge access". Kansas Wildlife & Parks Dept. (KDWP) has also posted a sign at Rocky Ford, indicating private lands below.  NOTE: Access from the Hwy 24 Blue River bridge downstream to the Kansas River is still legal.
•  
• Rocky Ford rapids - WW play spot only
• N.A
• Rocky Ford Fishing Area
• N.A.
• Caution: Stay well below the low head dam at Rocky Ford
• 1200 cfs - minimum; Ideal: 2,000 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II-III

• Onaga Rd. bridge to Louis Vieux Elm
• 5.0 river miles
• Onaga Rd. bridge (RR)
• Louis Vieux Elm Rd./bridge (RL) - steep climb out; use ropes
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Very scenic with a number of Class II-III boulder gardens
• 400 cfs - very hard to catch at a minimum levels / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II-III

Cottonwood River w/2 sections listed:

• Cottonwood Falls - Saffordville, KS
• 12.0 river miles
• Cottonwood Falls, KS. -below falls
• Saffordville, KS (RL)
• strainers & difficult landowner access issues
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Camp Wood – Cottonwood Falls
• 8.0 river miles
• Road near Camp Wood (RR)
• Cottonwood Falls, KS (RR) - above the falls
• Caution: Hazard at the take out above the Cottonwood Falls dam; must portage or take out above the dam.  Watch for downed trees and strainers
• 400 cfs / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II

Neosho River, Emporia, KS (near the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge) w/2 sections listed:

• Neosho Rapids, KS - Hartford, KS
• - River Map -Neosho Rapids put-in
•  
• - River Map -Hartford take-out

• 9.0 river miles
• Put-in: Neosho Rapids, KS, located 3 miles South of I-35 on Hwy 130. then take South St. East for ~1 mile to a bridge over the Neosho River. NOTE: This is still private land.   Put-in immediately below the bridge. Path is muddy at times. Park cars on the road, well off any private land. Access in on RL
• Take-out: Hartford, KS on RR at a boat ramp 100 yards upstream from an old concrete arch bridge.
• Borders a large portion of the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, an 18,000 acre public reserve. No firearms allowed on the river.
• Caution: Watch for downed trees, strainers, and shallow rocky ledges.   Access is poor at the put-in, but good at the take-out
• 300 cfs /  NOTE: The water level must be computed by adding the flow of the gauges Neosho and Cottonwood Rivers at the following gauge stations: NEOSHO RIVER NEAR AMERICUS + COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR PLYMOUTH / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II
• Hartford, KS - Jacobs Creek Landing
• - River Map put-in & take-out map
•  

• 8.0 river miles
• Put-in: Hartford, KS on RR at a boat ramp 100 yards upstream from an old concrete arch bridge.
• Take-out: Jacobs Creek Landing boat ramp - RR. Go 3 miles South of Hartford on Hwy 130. Turn east on 16th Rd. Continue for 4 miles to Jacobs Creek landing and boat ramp at the end of a 1/2 mile gravel road.
• Borders the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, an 18,000 acre public reserve.   No firearms allowed on the river.
• Caution: Watch for downed trees, strainers, and shallow rocky ledges.   Access is generally good
• 300 cfs / NOTE: The water level must be computed by adding the flow of the gauges Neosho and Cottonwood Rivers at the following gauge stations: NEOSHO RIVER NEAR AMERICUS + COTTONWOOD RIVER NEAR PLYMOUTH / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class II

• Exit 318 I-70 - Pillsbury Crossing
• 11.0 river miles
• Put-in: I-70, Exit 318 - low water bridge
• Take-out: Bridge above Pillsbury Crossing or at Pillsbury Crossing
• Caution: rapids , barb wire strainers , log-jams, low-water bridges that become low-head dams at high flows
• very scenic
• 150 cfs  - very hard to catch with a minimum flow / Flow levels are easiest checked by logging onto the Kansas USGS Real Time Gauge link under the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page Water Conditions for River Runners page.
• Class III
• Pillsbury crossing - no shuttle float - KDWP public access
• Pillsbury crossing(Deep Creek Rd.)
• Pillsbury crossing(Deep Creek Rd.)
• Caution: Watch for drunken teenagers
• Very protected from winds - short float (1/2 mile up & then back down)
• Class I

• Keats, KS to Manhattan, KS
• 6-12 river miles
• Put-in: Keats, KS - "closed" bridge east of town. Best access is the South side, under the bridge.
• Various Riley County Rd. bridges. Alternate access is off Wildcat Creek Rd bridge
• Caution: watch for downed trees & strainers (lots of them) / Access is very poor
• 200 cfs - very tough to catch with a minimum stream flow / No gauge available / Must scout directly from the Keats, KS bridge access
• Class III

• Upper
• 6.0 river miles
• Clarks Cr. Rd bridge, turn South at the intersection of Hwy 57 & Clarks Cr. Rd.
• Hwy 57 bridge
• Caution: Watch for downed trees, strainers, and minor rapids / Access is poor
• Very scenic
• 200 cfs - very hard to catch with minimum flow / No gauge available / Must scout directly from the bridge access
• Class II+
• Middle
• 8.0 river miles
• Hwy 57 bridge
• Ascher Rd. bridge
• Caution: Watch for downed trees, strainers, and minor rapids / Access is poor
• Very scenic
• 200 cfs - very hard to catch with minimum flow / No gauge available / Must scout directly from the bridge access
• Class II-III
• Lower
• 7.0 river miles
• Ascher Rd. bridge
• Kansas River - Ogden by-pass bridge
• Caution: Watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Very scenic
• 200 cfs - moderately hard to catch with minimum flow / No gauge available / Must scout directly from the bridge access
• Class II-III

• Big Blue River: Use the Hwy 24 launch. Float ¾ mile down to the Kaw and back up. ~.5-1 mile
• Tuttle Creek River Pond, below the dam: Turn at the River Rat bait shop, on Tuttle Cr. Blvd. Use the gravel canoe access400 yds below the "tubes" at File Creek (RR) - below the Tuttle Reservoir dam.  Ferry across the Big Blue River channel to the River Pond.  Paddle around Tuttle River Pond.  All public property on  USACE land and on KDWP State Park land.
• Tuttle Creek River Pond (Alternate Access).  Use the free access off Rocky Ford road, opposite the Little Grill restaurant/bar. Paddle around the island on the River Pond.
• Pillsbury Crossing - on Deep Creek, Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks (KDWP) property) - This is a 1-1.5 mile flatwater float upstream and back downstream to the crossing.  Don't miss walking down to see the falls at Pillsbury Crossing.   Take Hwy 177, south of Manhattan, KS.  Turn east on Deep Creek Rd.  Continue for 4 miles until the intersection of Pillsbury Crossing Rd. Turn onto Pillsbury Crossing Rd.  Continue to the KDWP entrance to Pillsbury Crossing.  Park your car on the banks above the crossing.

• Lyons Creek
• varies
• Lyons Cr Rd. (near Junction City)
• Smoky Hill River
• Caution: minor rapids, strainers
• Class II

• Mill Creek or West Fork of Mill Cr.
• varies
• Alma, KS
• Maple Hill Road bridge or Kansas River
• Caution: minor rapids, strainers; difficult landowner access issues
• Class III
• McDowell Cr.
• varies
• South of I-70, near Manhattan,
• use McDowell Cr. Rd access or run to Kansas River & take out at the Hwy 177 Bridge access
• Caution: strainers, minor rapids
• Class III
• Humbolt Cr., a tributary to Clarks Cr.
• 5.0 miles
• Low water bridge, S of I-70
• Clarks Creek tributary, use Clarks Cr - Ascher Rd bridge take-out
• Caution: minor rapids, strainers
• Class II
• Numerous other small creeks with small watersheds are runnable, but very difficult to catch with a minimum flow, landowner permission not withstanding

(See the KANSAS PADDLER Home Page for the most current trip/event schedules) www.kansas.net/~tjhittle

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