Kansas River

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Kansas River, KS - Improving understanding toward a common vision for water resources

The Kansas River begins at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers near Junction City, Kansas, and flows 173 miles to its confluence with the Missouri River at Kansas City, Kansas. The Kansas River drains 53,000 square miles, almost the entire northern half of Kansas and parts of Nebraska and Colorado. Stakeholders include irrigators, municipalities, industry, navigators and recreators. Eighteen federal reservoirs projects affect 85 percent of the Kansas River drainage area.

Creating a better understanding of the basin and the requirements for sustaining ecosystems will allow the many partners, along with the Corps and Conservancy to establish goals for lake sustainability, system resiliency, improved habitat for native species and other benefits supporting the collective vision for water resources in Kansas.

There are nine major reservoirs within the lower end of the Kansas River drainage basin. The right bank tributaries and associated reservoirs include the Smoky Hill (Waconda, Wilson, Kanopolis) and Wakarusa Rivers (Clinton).

Clinton Lake outlet works - There are nine major reservoirs within the lower end of the Kansas River drainage basin. The right bank tributaries and associated reservoirs include the Smoky Hill (Waconda, Wilson, Kanopolis) and Wakarusa Rivers (Clinton) (USACE photo).

Creating a better understanding of the requirements for sustaining ecosystems will allow the many partners, along with the Corps and Conservancy to establish goals for lake sustainability, system resiliency, improved habitat for native species and other benefits supporting the collective vision for water resources in Kansas.

Migratory pelicans gather at Harlan County Lake, near Republican City, Nebraska - Creating a better understanding of the requirements for sustaining ecosystems will allow the many partners, along with the Corps and Conservancy to establish goals for lake sustainability, system resiliency, improved habitat for native species and other benefits supporting the collective vision for water resources in Kansas (USACE photo).

The Kansas River, known locally as Kaw River, begins at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers near Junction City, Kansas, and flows 173 miles to Kansas City, where it joins the Missouri River at Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas River near the first territorial capitol - The Kansas River, known locally as Kaw River, begins at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers near Junction City, Kansas, and flows 173 miles to Kansas City, where it joins the Missouri River at Kansas City, Kansas (USACE photo).

Harlan County Dam on the Republican River is part of the Kansas River watershed that drains almost the entire northern half of Kansas, as well as part of Nebraska and Colorado (53,000 square miles). It is the largest prairie-based river system in the world, with the watershed comprised primarily of grassland, pastures, and row-crop agriculture.

Harlan County Lake on the Republican River - Harlan County Dam on the Republican River is part of the Kansas River watershed that drains almost the entire northern half of Kansas, as well as part of Nebraska and Colorado (53,000 square miles). It is the largest prairie-based river system in the world, with the watershed comprised primarily of grassland, pastures, and row-crop agriculture (USACE photo).

Kaw River Nature Trail is a self-guided trail open from dawn to dusk that runs along the river. The Kaw is popular for canoeing and kayaking and has an access point almost every ten miles for its entire length. In 2012, it was added to the National Park Service’s National Water Trail System.

Kaw River Nature Trail - Kaw River Nature Trail is a self-guided trail open from dawn to dusk that runs along the river. The Kaw is popular for canoeing and kayaking and has an access point almost every ten miles for its entire length. In 2012, it was added to the National Park Service’s National Water Trail System (USACE photo).

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The Kansas River, known locally as the Kaw, drains almost the entire northern half of Kansas, as well as part of Nebraska and Colorado (53,000 square miles). It is the largest prairie-based river system in the world, with the watershed comprised primarily of grassland, pastures, and row-crop agriculture. Read More

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