if you are landing on this page you need to clear your cache.  If you need help doing this check out http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser%27s-Cache.  The migration of our massive site is almost complete thanks to Mike Rawitch, our Communications and Program Director, and we will NOT be MAINTAINING OR UPDATING this site.  Do check out our new site (pictured on left) and clear your cache.

The De Soto Access Ramp at Riverfest Park will be closed on July 4, 2013 from 6am to midnight for the city's fireworks.  Also remember that we are transitioning to a new web site.  Most of our pages have been transferred and we will not be maintaining and updating this site.  You can click on the screen shot to the left or on the link below to get to our new web site.  You also probably need to clear your cache to delete stored files so when you go to kansasriver.org you will go to the new site!

Friends of the Kaw's staff and the Digital Design Company have been working since January to transfer our web site to a new format so it would also be bolder, brighter and more user friendly for phones and pads. To accomplish this goal we moved our navigation system to the top of our site. Because this web site is so extensive we have not been able to transfer everything so some pages will be directed back to this web site - there is on the home page of this site that will take you back to the new web site.  We have transfered our most poplular section "Float and Fish" to the new web site that includes the Kaw River Access Map and pages with specific information for each access ramp.  With the assistance of our Johnson County Stormwater grant and our Together Green Grant we have reorganized our Stormwater section to also be more user friendly.

June 22nd marks the 2013 Kawnivore, a 34 mile canoe and kayak race on the Kansas River from Topeka to Lawrence. The event will begin with a le mans start at 9:00 a.m. at the Topeka Coffer Dam (river mile 87) and end at the KU Rowing Boathouse (river mile 53). Savor the final miles of the upper Kaw with channel-hunting, sandbar-dodging and snag-scouting all the while supporting Friends of the Kaw.  Registration is open and can be completed online at www.kawpaddler.com. T-shirts, goodie bags, and post-race meals are provided to all participants. Trophies will be given to all 1st through 3rd place finishers. A handmade Thetis Paddles single blade paddle, an Epic double blade paddle and other prizes are available drawing items to all racers. If you’re not interested in competing, feel free to come watch the start and finish. Post-race meals are also available to non-racers at a suggested minimum $5 donation.  If you’re interested in volunteering with the event, contact Christina Ruiz at kawpaddler@gmail.com.

Angel Alvarez from Tortas Jalisco won the Riverkeeper Award. Other participating chefs were:  Brad Walters, Basil Leaf Cafe; Garth Atchison, Wheatfields Bakery and Cafe; Jimi Martin, Free State Brewery.  Great food and a good time were enjoyed by all!  Thanks to our sponsors: Abe & Jake's Landing, Thompson Financial Group, Cottin's Hardware & Rental, Bowersock MIlls and Power Company, HyVee, DJ Stiga and Sunflower Natural Pet Supplies

Buy your tickets for the 4th Annual River City Cook Off for Sunday, June 2 from 6 to 9pm at Abe & Jake's Landing, 8 E. 6th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.  Once you step in the door you will have the opportunity to taste five, local chef's sumptuous creations and vote on your favorite. Participating restaurants are Wheatfields Bakery and Cafe, Tortas Jalisco, Basil Leaf, Free State Brewing Co. and Genovese. Tickets are a suggested donation of $18 or $22 at the door and kids under 12 are free!  Click on link below for more information!

Lance Burr, a true Kaw River warrior, passed away on Monday evening, May 13, 2013. Lance was a founding board member and the first president of Friends of the Kaw.  He also established our Endowment Fund.  He served on our board as either an active or honorary board member from 1997 to 2013 and we will all dearly miss him. Pictured are Laura Calwell, Lance and Mike Calwell at the reception in March of 2010 celebrating the conservation easement for his Buck Creek property.  Lance was active in many community concerns for Lawrence and Kansas. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family, particularly his children, Dustin and Desiree.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species of beetle that has begun to spread into Kansas over the last year. It has killed tens of millions of ash trees in other states, and may have the same devastating effect in Kansas. The annual cycle of the beetle dictates that it will begin emerging as early as mid May, and Ash Borer activity will peak in June.  A few easy tips to remember:  When using insecticides to protect from the Emerald Ash Borer: Inject whenever possible; If you have to spray make sure to follow correct application rates; If you must spray then avoid spraying close to waterways, or storm drains, and avoid spraying prior to rain events. For more information please visit:
Kansas Department of Agriculture - http://www.ksda.gov/plant_protection/content/379; Kansas Forest Service - https://www.kansasforests.org/programs/health/eab.shtml; OR http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

Thanks to the City of Belvue, Westar's Green Team and many area volunteers and businesses this ramp will be open very soon.  It is located about a mile south of the city of Belvue on Mills Street.  The Belvue ramp is 10 miles down stream from the Wamego ramp under the Highway 99 bridge - a beautiful day float.  From Belvue the next ramp down river is Kaw River State Park approximately 28 miles - this is not recommended as a day trip.

Due to the recent wet weather we have decided it would be safest for all involved to postpone the Linwood Tire Cleanup planned for this Saturday, April 20.  Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment, Bureau of Waste Management has put a lot of time and energy into helping us plan this event and we are thankful for their efforts.  Many others had committed to help us this weekend and we appreciate that also. We will reschedule this event so watch for the announcement.