The River Atlas is a comprehensive source of information on the Kansas River. Here you will learn about the Kansas River watershed, our conservation priorities for the River, and information on water quality and point source and non-point source pollution. We hope that this information brings a better understanding about the Kansas River and the problems it faces, and serves as a thorough resource for stakeholders, communities, and those of us who love and care for the Kansas River.

The Kansas River (which is also called the Kaw) begins at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers near Junction City and flows 173 miles to Kansas City, where it joins the Missouri River. The Kaw drains almost the entire northern half of Kansas, as well as part of Nebraska and Colorado (53,000 square miles in all), and is the longest prairie based river in the world.