RIVER INFORMATION FORMAT

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

Stream Name:

• River/section Description
• - River Map (generally a large printable .jpg map)
• River miles
• Put-in Description
• Take-out Description
• Anticipated Hazards
• Comments
• Minimum Recommended Flows / NOTE: Maximum Recommended flows are the product of weather, skill level, experience, and craft, and are therefore not listed.
• 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 / RM= River Mile # (numbering begins at the Missouri River confluence (RM 0.0 and ends at RM 170.5 in Junction City, KS at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers)

  NOTE:  Kansas River Mileage based on a 1978 Bank Erosion Inventory Study and Map by the USACOE.

  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 always a concern on the Kansas River.  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.

• Junction City, KS to Ogden, KS by-pass bridge
• - River Map - JC to Ogden only
•  
• 7.0 miles
• Putin: Junction City,KSat the (Grant Ave. Park) bridge (RR) - on the Republican River - RM 170.5
• Take-out: K-18 bridge, aka, Ogden bypass bridge (RL), RM 163.5.  This access is on the northwest side of the bridge in Riley County.  Just follow the fisherman's path to the river, staying underneath the bridge. 
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is long and through high weeds & muddy banks
• Good sand bar camping; passes through Ft. Riley; scenic; goes past First Territorial  Capital, can stop upstream and hike in (1/8 mi.) on their river trail to see the museum. Watch for trail rails on the (RL) side.
• 1,100 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
• Ogden, KS to Manhattan, KS - new KDWP river access in 2011
• - River Map - Ogden to Manhattan only
•  
• 14.2 - 15.9 miles, depending upon take-out options
• Put-in: One mile below the K-18 bridge off K-18 & Walnut Street in Ogden - (RL), RM 164.5.  This new access is on river left & located in Riley County.  Just find the colorful apartments 1/2 mile south of the K-18 bridge.  Then follow the old dirt access road east to the river.  It may be a little hard to find but you will be thanking me later for pointing this new river access out to you.
• Take-out: K-177 bridge (RR) , aka Fairmont Park Boat Ramp, off McDowell Cr. Rd at RM 149.3.   This is a new access, dedicated in 2008.  You will love this access!
• Alternate Take-out: Continue down to the Hwy 24 - Blue River confluence at RM 147.6 boat ramp and paddle upstream 3/4 mile. If Tuttle Cr. Reservoir is releasing >4,000 cfs,  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PLAN TO PADDLE UPSTREAM. Take-out upstream under the Hwy 177 Bridge, aka Fairmont Park Boat Ramp, instead.
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers
• Very scenic; cuts through Flint Hills; great camping
• 1,100 cfs / At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand.  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
• Manhattan, KS to St. George, KS
• - River Map - Manhattan, KS to St. George, KS only
•  
• 11.0 miles (10.3 on the Kaw and .7 on the Big Blue River)
• Hwy 24 -Blue river boat ramp & access (RR) RM 147.6 - good access 3/4 mile downstream to the Kansas River
• St. George River Park via the sewer treatment plant road & access (RL) RM 137.3 -  Access is now great due to a brand new concrete boat ramp & parking area, developed by the City of St. George. This was a product of the efforts of the Westar Energy Green Team, Kansas Canoe Association, Friends of the Kaw, American Flyfishers Association, Hittle Landscape Architects, and numerous private donations. Directions: After entering St. George, KS on the Old Military Trail Rd, continue past the Post Office on 1st street, to Lincoln street (landmark is the old gas station) and turn south on this road near Blackjack Creek going about 1/3 mile over the RR tracks and to the sewer treatment plant & new river park.  It even has a bathroom.
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers
• Great sandbar camping
• 1,100 cfs / At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand. 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
• St. George, KS to Wamego, KS
• - River Map - St. George, KS to Wamego, KS only
•  
• 10.3 miles
• Put-in: St. George River Park via the Blackack Creek & sewer treatment plant road & access (RL) RM 137.3 -  This new access is now A-1 due to a brand new concrete boat ramp & parking area, developed by the City of St. George. This was a product of the efforts of the Westar Energy Green Team, Kansas Canoe & Kayak Association, Friends of the Kaw, American Flyfishers Association, Hittle Landscape Architects, and numerous private donations. Directions: After entering St. George, KS on the Old Military Trail Rd, continue past the Post Office on 1st street, to Lincoln street (landmark is the old gas station) and turn south on this road near Blackjack Creek going about 1/3 mile over the RR tracks and to the sewer treatment plant & new river park.
• Take-out: New Hwy 99 Wamego bridge, aka River Park Boat Ramp & access (RL) - RM 127.0.  This is a brand new access, dedicated in 2008.  You will love this access too!
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is fair
• Good sandbar camping
• 1,100 cfs / At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand. 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
• Wamego, KS to Belvue, KS
• 11.5 miles
• Put-in: Wamego - Hwy 99 bridge (RL) - RM 127.0 - 
• Take-out: Shoeman Rd bridge, Belvue (RL) RM 115.5 - steep bank climb; use ropes to help
• Alternate Shorter Take-out: Alternate access at the Vermilion River bridge (RL) - RM 121.5
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is fair
• Good sandbar camping
• 1500 cfs / At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand. 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
• Belvue, KS to Maple Hill, KS
• 11.4 miles
• Put-in: Shoeman Rd bridge (RL) - RM 115.5 - steep bank climb; use ropes to help
• Take-out: Maple Hill bridge (RL) - RM 104.1 - steep bank climb; use ropes to help
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Good sandbar camping
• 1500 cfs / At minimum stream flows, considerable maneuvering will be required, with frequent drags over shallow sand. 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
• Link to Maple Hill community - shops & places to eat near the Kansas River
• Maple Hill, KS - Topeka, KS
• Opt 1=9.1 miles / Opt. 2=25.6 miles
• Maple Hill bridge (RL) - RM 104.1 (steep bank climb; use ropes to help) - has limited parking
• Link to Maple Hill community - shops & places to eat near the Kansas River
• Take-out opt. 1: Silver Lake access (RL) - RM 95.0.  This also is a steep banked primitive access. Take ropes along.
• Take-out opt 2: Seward Ave. boat ramp (RR) - RM 78.5
• SPECIAL CAUTION & WARNING: Option 2: Takes you over the DANGEROUS Topeka Water plant dam/weir.  This low head dam should be scouted from the North or River Left and portaged on River Left.  You will notice a sign well ahead of the dam, but keep moving towards the North side of the river to portage.
• This is probably the least attractive section of the Kaw. Also takes you past the Oakland Sewage Treatment plant outlet in Topeka, KS.  
• 2000 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 / NOTE: above low head dam hazards
• Topeka, KS - Perry, KS
• - River Map - Perry Access only
•  
• - River Map - Topeka-Perry only
•  
• 14.6 miles (13.9 miles on the Kaw and .7 up the Delaware River to Perry, KS)
• Put-in: Seward Ave - boat ramp (RR) - RM 78.5
• Take-out: The Delaware River (RL) at RM 64.6 then paddle up .7 mi. mile to Leonard's Landing, Perry, KS  (NOTE: Ask for permission to access, prior to launch)
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Good Sandbar camping
• 1500 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
• Perry, KS - Lawrence, KS
• - River Map - Lawrence River Park access only
•  
• - River Map - Perry - Lawrence only
•  
• 15.0 miles (4.0 miles down the Delaware River and 11.0 miles on the Kansas River)
• Perry Reservoir - Outlet Park (on the Delaware River (RR), paddle down to the Kansas River - RM 64.6
• Lawrence River Park(RL) - RM 53.6
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is moderate
• Great sandbar camping, scenic section
• 1500 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
• Lawrence, KS - Desoto, KS
• 23.5 miles
• Below Bowersok Dam (RL) - in Lawrence, KS - RM 50.0 / Take 2nd St. (Hwy. 40/59) north to the first stoplight at Locust Street by Johnies' Tavern.  Turn right (east) on Locust and go 5 blocks to 7th St.  Turn right (south) on 7th and follow 3 blocks until it ends at a hard left at the river levee.  Follow the turn left and go east one long block on Ash to 8th St.  Turn right and go about half a block to the River.  The access has a good size parking lot, concrete ramp and a trash barrel. 
• Cedar Creek Access(RR) - East of Desoto, KS - RM 26.5
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees & strainers / Access is poor
• Comments
• 1500 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
• Desoto, KS - Kansas, City, MO
• 26.5 miles
• Cedar Creek Access (RR) - East of Desoto, KS - RM 26.5
• Kaw Point (RR) RM 0.0 - at the Kansas River & Missouri River confluence
• Caution: wind advisory; watch for downed trees, strainers, and boulder dam immediately below the I-435 bridge (portage on river left) / Access is moderate
• CAUTION: The boulder dam immediately below the I-435 bridge is a formidable portage for loaded boats.  Take your time and use extreme caution when portaging on river left.
• Comments
• 1500 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

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

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