An Overview of Kansas' Rivers and Lakes
Largest and Most Famous Water Features
Kansas features several notable water bodies. The largest lake is Milford Lake, covering approximately 15,700 acres and known for its recreational opportunities. Clinton Lake is another significant reservoir, popular for boating and fishing. Major rivers include the Kansas River, which spans 743 miles through the state, providing vital water resources and recreational activities.
Water Sources for Rivers, Lakes, and Streams
Most of Kansas' rivers, lakes, and streams primarily derive water from local precipitation and runoff, rather than distant mountain snowmelt. The state's hydrology is influenced by its geography, with some rivers also receiving water from tributaries within the state and neighboring regions.
Major Types of Rivers and Lakes
Kansas has several types of rivers, including major perennial rivers like the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers, which flow year-round. The state also features exotic rivers such as the Cimarron River, known for its intermittent flow. Tributary rivers like the Smoky Hill River contribute to larger river systems. Man-made rivers, such as aqueducts and canals, supplement water supply for irrigation and municipal use.
Types of Lakes in Kansas
Kansas' lakes vary in origin and type. Most are anthropogenic lakes, created by damming rivers for flood control, irrigation, and water supply purposes. Examples include Tuttle Creek Lake and Cheney Reservoir. Fluvial lakes, formed by river processes, are also common, like Perry Lake and Pomona Lake, offering recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating.
Orientation of Rivers in Kansas
Rivers in Kansas predominantly flow east-west due to the state's gentle slope towards the east. Examples include the Arkansas River and the Republican River. This flow direction influences the drainage patterns and agricultural utilization along these waterways.
Origin and Use of Lakes
Many of Kansas' lakes are manmade, constructed primarily for flood control, irrigation, and municipal water supply. These projects are typically managed by state agencies like the Kansas Water Office and federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers. Cheney Reservoir, completed in 1965, is an example managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Use of Rivers for Transportation
Rivers in Kansas are generally not heavily used for major transportation due to their limited navigability and shallow depths. They mainly serve as local waterways for recreational boating and fishing rather than commercial shipping.
Dams on Rivers and Lakes
Kansas has numerous dams primarily used for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. Tuttle Creek Dam on the Kansas River, for instance, provides flood protection and water supply for surrounding areas. Many of these dams are also used for recreational purposes, such as fishing and boating.
Recreational Use of Rivers and Lakes
Several rivers and lakes in Kansas are popular for recreational activities. Milford Lake, Clinton Lake, and Tuttle Creek Lake are well-known for fishing, boating, and jet skiing. The Kansas River and the Arkansas River also offer opportunities for kayaking and canoeing.
Support for Agriculture
Many lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in Kansas support the state's agriculture industry. Reservoirs like Cheney and Clinton Lakes provide essential water for irrigation, helping sustain crops in the region. The water resources from these lakes and rivers are crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity.
Pollution Issues
Some of Kansas' rivers and lakes have experienced pollution problems. Agricultural runoff and industrial discharge have contributed to water quality issues in certain areas. Efforts are ongoing to address these concerns through state and federal environmental programs aimed at improving water quality and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
Kansas Rivers, Lakes, Streams and Water Features
Arkansas River, Cowley Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Edwards Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Finney Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Ford Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Gray Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Hamilton Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Kearny Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Reno Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Rice Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Sedgwick Co, Kansas
Arkansas River, Sumner Co, Kansas
Ash Creek, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Bear Creek, Grant Co, Kansas
Bear Creek, Kearny Co, Kansas
Bear Creek, Stanton Co, Kansas
Beaver Creek, Cheyenne Co, Kansas
Beaver Creek, Rawlins Co, Kansas
Beaver Creek, Sherman Co, Kansas
Big Blue River, Marshall Co, Kansas
Big Blue River, Pottawatomie Co, Kansas
Big Blue River, Riley Co, Kansas
Big Creek, Ellis Co, Kansas
Big Creek, Gove Co, Kansas
Big Creek, Russell Co, Kansas
Big Creek, Trego Co, Kansas
Black Vermillion River, Marshall Co, KS
Black Vermillion River, Nemaha Co, Kansas
Bluff Creek, Harper Co, Kansas
Bluff Creek, Sumner Co, Kansas
Bow Creek, Graham Co, Kansas
Bow Creek, Phillips Co, Kansas
Bow Creek, Rooks Co, Kansas
Bow Creek, Sheridan Co, Kansas
Buckner Creek, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Buckner Creek, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Buffalo Creek, Cloud Co, Kansas
Buffalo Creek, Jewell Co, Kansas
Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Trego Co, Kansas
Chalk Creek, Logan Co, Kansas
Chalk Creek, Wallace Co, Kansas
Chalk Creek, Wichita Co, Kansas
Chapman Creek, Clay Co, Kansas
Chapman Creek, Cloud Co, Kansas
Chapman Creek, Dickinson Co, Kansas
Chapman Creek, Ottawa Co, Kansas
Cheney Reservoir, Kingman Co, Kansas
Cheney Reservoir, Reno Co, Kansas
Cheney Reservoir, Sedgwick Co, Kansas
Cheyenne Bottoms,Barton Co, Kansas
Chikaskia River, Harper Co, Kansas
Chikaskia River, Kingman Co, Kansas
Chikaskia River, Sumner Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Clark Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Grant Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Haskell Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Meade Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Morton Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Seward Co, Kansas
Cimarron River, Stevens Co, Kansas
Clarks Creek, Geary Co, Kansas
Clarks Creek, Morris Co, Kansas
Clinton Lake, Douglas Co, Kansas
Coon Creek, Edwards Co, Kansas
Coon Creek, Ford Co, Kansas
Coon Creek, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Cottonwood River, Chase Co, Kansas
Cottonwood River, Lyon Co, Kansas
Cottonwood River, Marion Co, Kansas
Council Grove Lake, Morris Co, Kansas
Cow Creek, Barton Co, Kansas
Cow Creek, Cherokee Co, Kansas
Cow Creek, Crawford Co, Kansas
Cow Creek, Reno Co, Kansas
Cow Creek, Rice Co, Kansas
Cowskin Creek, Sedgwick Co, Kansas
Crooked Creek, Ford Co, Kansas
Crooked Creek, Gray Co, Kansas
Crooked Creek, Haskell Co, Kansas
Crooked Creek, Meade Co, Kansas
Delaware River, Atchison Co, Kansas
Delaware River, Brown Co, Kansas
Delaware River, Jackson Co, Kansas
Delaware River, Jefferson Co, Kansas
Delaware River, Nemaha Co, Kansas
Dragoon Creek, Osage Co, Kansas
Dragoon Creek, Wabaunsee Co, Kansas
Dry Creek, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Dry Walnut Creek, Barton Co, Kansas
Dry Walnut Creek, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Dry Walnut Creek, Rush Co, Kansas
El Dorado Lake, Butler Co, Kansas
Elk City Lake, Montgomery Co, Kansas
Fall River, Elk Co, Kansas
Fall River, Greenwood Co, Kansas
Fall River, Wilson Co, Kansas
Fall River Lake, Greenwood Co, Kansas
Grouse Creek, Cowley Co, Kansas
Hackberry Creek, Gove Co, Kansas
Hackberry Creek, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Hackberry Creek, Lane Co, Kansas
Hackberry Creek, Ness Co, Kansas
Hackberry Creek, Trego Co, Kansas
Hillsdale Lake, Miami Co, Kansas
John Redmond Reservoir, Coffey Co, Kansas
Kanopolis Lake, Ellsworth Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Douglas Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Geary Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Jefferson Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Johnson Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Leavenworth Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Pottawatomie Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Riley Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Shawnee Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Wabaunsee Co, Kansas
Kansas River, Wyandotte Co, Kansas
Keith Sebelius Lake, Norton Co, Kansas
Kirwin Reservoir, Phillips Co, Kansas
La Cygnes Lake, Linn Co, Kansas
La Cygnes Lake, Miami Co, Kansas
Ladder Creek, Greeley Co, Kansas
Ladder Creek, Scott Co, Kansas
Ladder Creek, Wallace Co, Kansas
Ladder Creek, Wichita Co, Kansas
Lake Creek, Logan Co, Kansas
Lake Creek, Wallace Co, Kansas
Lightning Creek, Cherokee Co, Kansas
Lightning Creek, Crawford Co, Kansas
Lightning Creek, Labette Co, Kansas
Little Arkansas River, Harvey Co, Kansas
Little Arkansas River, McPherson Co, KS
Little Arkansas River, Reno Co, Kansas
Little Arkansas River, Rice Co, Kansas
Little Arkansas River, Sedgwick Co, Kansas
Little Beaver Creek, Cheyenne Co, Kansas
Little Beaver Creek, Rawlins Co, Kansas
Little Beaver Creek, Sherman Co, Kansas
Little Blue River, Marshall Co, Kansas
Little Blue River, Washington Co, Kansas
Little Osage River, Allen Co, Kansas
Little Osage River, Bourbon Co, Kansas
Little Sandy Creek, Barber Co, Kansas
Little Sandy Creek, Harper Co, Kansas
Little Walnut River, Butler Co, Kansas
Lovewell Reservoir, Jewell Co, Kansas
Lyon Creek, Dickinson Co, Kansas
Lyon Creek, Geary Co, Kansas
Marais des Cygnes River, Franklin Co, KS
Marais des Cygnes River, Linn Co, Kansas
Marais des Cygnes River, Miami Co, Kansas
Marais des Cygnes River, Osage Co, Kansas
Marion Reservoir, Marion Co, Kansas
Marmaton River, Allen Co, Kansas
Marmaton River, Bourbon Co, Kansas
Medicine Lodge River, Barber Co, Kansas
Medicine Lodge River, Kiowa Co, Kansas
Melvern Lake, Osage Co, Kansas
Middle Beaver Creek, Sherman Co, Kansas
Middle Branch Hackberry Creek, Gove Co, KS
Middle Branch Hackberry Creek, Logan Co, KS
Middle Fork Sappa Creek, Decatur Co, KS
Middle Fork Sappa Creek, Rawlins Co, KS
Middle Fork Sappa Creek, Sherman Co, KS
Middle Fork Sappa Creek, Thomas Co, KS
Milford Lake, Clay Co, Kansas
Milford Lake, Dickinson Co, Kansas
Milford Lake, Geary Co, Kansas
Mill Creek, Republic Co, Kansas
Mill Creek, Washington Co, Kansas
Missouri River, Atchison Co, Kansas
Missouri River, Doniphan Co, Kansas
Missouri River, Leavenworth Co, Kansas
Mulberry Creek, Ford Co, Kansas
Mulberry Creek, Gray Co, Kansas
Mule Creek, Barber Co, Kansas
Mule Creek, Comanche Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Allen Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Cherokee Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Coffey Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Labette Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Lyon Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Neosho Co, Kansas
Neosho River, Woodson Co, Kansas
N Branch Hackberry Creek, Gove Co, KS
N Branch Hackberry Creek, Logan Co, KS
N Fork Cimarron River, Grant Co, KS
N Fork Cimarron River, Morton Co, KS
N Fork Cimarron River, Stanton Co, KS
N Fork Cimarron River, Stevens Co, KS
N Fork Ninnescah River, Reno Co, KS
N Fork Ninnescah River, Stafford Co, KS
N Fork Sappa Creek, Rawlins Co, KS
N Fork Smoky Hill River, Logan Co, KS
N Fork Smoky Hill River, Sherman Co, KS
N Fork Smoky Hill River, Wallace Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Decatur Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Mitchell Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Norton Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Osborne Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Phillips Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Sheridan Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Smith Co, KS
N Fork Solomon River, Thomas Co, KS
North Fork Walnut Creek, Ness Co, KS
Paradise Creek, Osborne Co, Kansas
Paradise Creek, Rooks Co, Kansas
Paradise Creek, Russell Co, Kansas
Pawnee River, Finney Co, Kansas
Pawnee River, Gray Co, Kansas
Pawnee River, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Pawnee River, Ness Co, Kansas
Pawnee River, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Perry Lake, Jefferson Co, Kansas
Plum Creek, Gove Co, Kansas
Plum Creek, Logan Co, Kansas
Pomona Lake, Osage Co, Kansas
Pottawatomie Creek, Anderson Co, Kansas
Pottawatomie Creek, Coffey Co, Kansas
Prairie Dog Creek, Decatur Co, Kansas
Prairie Dog Creek, Sheridan Co, Kansas
Prairie Dog Creek, Thomas Co, Kansas
Rattlesnake Creek, Edwards Co, Kansas
Rattlesnake Creek, Ford Co, Kansas
Rattlesnake Creek, Kiowa Co, Kansas
Rattlesnake Creek, Pratt Co, Kansas
Rattlesnake Creek, Stafford Co, Kansas
Republican River, Clay Co, Kansas
Republican River, Cloud Co, Kansas
Republican River, Jewell Co, Kansas
Republican River, Republic Co, Kansas
Rock Creek, Butler Co, Kansas
Rock Creek, Cowley Co, Kansas
Rock Creek, Pottawatomie Co, Kansas
Saline River, Ellis Co, Kansas
Saline River, Gove Co, Kansas
Saline River, Graham Co, Kansas
Saline River, Lincoln Co, Kansas
Saline River, Ottawa Co, Kansas
Saline River, Rooks Co, Kansas
Saline River, Russell Co, Kansas
Saline River, Saline Co, Kansas
Saline River, Sheridan Co, Kansas
Saline River, Trego Co, Kansas
Salt Creek, Lincoln Co, Kansas
Salt Creek, Lyon Co, Kansas
Salt Creek, Mitchell Co, Kansas
Salt Creek, Osage Co, Kansas
Salt Creek, Ottawa Co, Kansas
Salt Fork Arkansas River, Barber Co, KS
Salt Fork Arkansas River, Comanche Co, KS
Sand Arroyo Creek, Grant Co, Kansas
Sand Arroyo Creek, Stanton Co, Kansas
Sappa Creek, Decatur Co, Kansas
Sappa Creek, Norton Co, Kansas
Saw Log Creek, Ford Co, Kansas
Saw Log Creek, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Sawmill Creek, Hodgeman Co, Kansas
Sawmill Creek, Pawnee Co, Kansas
Slate Creek, Cowley Co, Kansas
Slate Creek, Sumner Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Dickinson Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Ellis Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Ellsworth Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Geary Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Gove Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Logan Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, McPherson Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Rush Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Russell Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Saline Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Trego Co, Kansas
Smoky Hill River, Wallace Co, Kansas
Soldier Creek, Jackson Co, Kansas
Soldier Creek, Nemaha Co, Kansas
Soldier Creek, Shawnee Co, Kansas
Solomon River, Cloud Co, Kansas
Solomon River, Dickinson Co, Kansas
Solomon River, Mitchell Co, Kansas
Solomon River, Ottawa Co, Kansas
Solomon River, Saline Co, Kansas
South Bow Creek, Sheridan Co, Kansas
South Bow Creek, Thomas Co, Kansas
S Branch Hackberry Creek, Gove Co, KS
S Branch Hackberry Creek, Logan Co, KS
S Fork Cottonwood River, Butler Co, KS
S Fork Cottonwood River, Chase Co, KS
S Fork Ninnescah River, Kingman Co, KS
S Fork Ninnescah River, Pratt Co, KS
S Fork Ninnescah River, Sedgwick Co, KS
S Fork Republican River, Cheyenne Co, KS
S Fork Saline River, Sheridan Co, KS
S Fork Saline River, Thomas Co, KS
S Fork Sappa Creek, Decatur Co, KS
S Fork Sappa Creek, Rawlins Co, KS
S Fork Sappa Creek, Sherman Co, KS
S Fork Sappa Creek, Thomas Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Graham Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Mitchell Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Osborne Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Rooks Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Sheridan Co, KS
S Fork Solomon River, Sherman Co, KS
South Fork Solomon River, Thomas Co, KS
South Fork Walnut Creek, Lane Co, Kansas
South Fork Walnut Creek, Ness Co, Kansas
South Ladder Creek, Greeley Co, Kansas
Stranger Creek, Atchison Co, Kansas
Stranger Creek, Leavenworth Co, Kansas
Toronto Lake, Greenwood Co, Kansas
Toronto Lake, Woodson Co, Kansas
Tuttle Creek Lake, Pottawatomie Co, Kansas
Tuttle Creek Lake, Riley Co, Kansas
Twin Butte Creek, Logan Co, Kansas
Twin Butte Creek, Wallace Co, Kansas
Verdigris River, Greenwood Co, Kansas
Verdigris River, Montgomery Co, Kansas
Verdigris River, Wilson Co, Kansas
Verdigris River, Woodson Co, Kansas
Vermillion Creek, Nemaha Co, Kansas
Vermillion Creek, Pottawatomie Co, Kansas
Waconda Lake, Mitchell Co, Kansas
Wakarusa River, Douglas Co, Kansas
Wakarusa River, Osage Co, Kansas
Wakarusa River, Shawnee Co, Kansas
Walnut Creek, Barton Co, Kansas
Walnut Creek, Ness Co, Kansas
Walnut Creek, Rush Co, Kansas
Walnut River, Butler Co, Kansas
Walnut River, Cowley Co, Kansas
Webster Reservoir, Rooks Co, Kansas
W Branch Whitewater River, Butler Co, KS
W Branch Whitewater River, Harvey Co, KS
White Rock Creek, Jewell Co, Kansas
White Rock Creek, Smith Co, Kansas
White Woman Creek, Greeley Co, Kansas
White Woman Creek, Scott Co, Kansas
White Woman Creek, Wichita Co, Kansas
Whitewater River, Butler Co, Kansas
Whitewater River, Marion Co, Kansas
Wilson Lake, Lincoln Co, Kansas
Wilson Lake, Russell Co, Kansas
Wolf River, Brown Co, Kansas
Wolf River, Doniphan Co, Kansas