The Kansas (Kaw) River stretches 171 miles from its origin in Junction City to its confluence with the Missouri River and is the primary source of drinking water for many communities in northeast Kansas. This recreational treasure was a well kept secret among a few knowing paddlers and anglers, but is fast becoming a valued recreational resource for thousands of visitors each year.
Our Outstanding Recreational Resource
Friends of the Kaw considers the Kansas (Kaw) River a 171-mile linear park to be enjoyed by families and outdoor enthusiasts. We continue to partner with river communities to develop boat access, river front parks and hiking and biking trails along the river for public use.
Rotating Pictures:
Floating on the Kaw by Craig
Thompson
Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance's Streamlink
students doing a macroinvertebrate sampling.
Catfishing on the Kaw with Captain Catfish
Enforcement
The Kansas Riverkeeper’s first priority is to respond to information that poses a threat to the health of the Kansas River. The Riverkeeper monitors applications for permits to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and will make comments when needed. The Riverkeeper will also contact Friends of the Kaw members to make comments in response or in opposition to such permits.
The Kansas Riverkeeper also receives information concerning the health of the Kaw from callers to the Pollution Hotline (1-866-RIV-KEEP) or emails to riverkeeper@kansasriver.org. The Riverkeeper will assist informants with appropriate contact information so reports can be made directly. When appropriate the Riverkeeper will conduct an investigation by calling other sources, making a physical site visit and/or reporting information to proper authority.
The following report documents a incident reported to the Pollution Hotline.
A Day in the Life of the Kansas Riverkeeper
Saturday, July 15, 2006
• 6:00am - awakened to a call reporting discharge of suspected contaminated water (diesel fuel, motor oil and antifreeze) to the Kansas River from Kaw Valley Companies pit mine on Gibbs Road just south of K-32 and east of I-435.
• 6:15am - called 911 to report a suspected environmental emergency and KCK fire truck was dispatched to scene. During the drive to investigate called KDHE and EPA and reported situation as related.
• 7:00am - arrived at I-435 bridge over the Kansas River but could see no evidence of discharge.
• 11:00am – in the air taking pictures of Kaw Valley Companies pit mine and partially sunk sand dredge machine with whitish trails of ???, pumps and hoses running from pit to top of levee, crushed vegetation down the bank and 500 yard white plume in the water from discharge site on the north bank of the Kansas River.
Monday, July 17 - pictures and incident report were emailed to Northeast District Office of Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE.) Tuesday, July 18 - delivered disk of pictures to same office. Wednesday, July 19 - agent from KDHE visits Kaw Valley Companies pit mine for a physical inspection. Incident is currently under investigation by KDHE. This is the fourth time in 3 years that the Kansas Riverkeeper has reported suspected violations by this company.
Riverkeeper takes sampes of soil to test for traces of fuel, oil and antifreeze.
