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Kansas | Northeast Kansas
Kansas RiverEudora to De Soto
Lower-Kaw day from the Eudora ramp on the Wakarusa River to the De Soto ramp at Riverfest Park. Friends of the Kaw documents both public ramps and the 10.7-mile access spacing, while the De Soto USGS gauge sits in the take-out corridor for a same-day level check.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch from the Eudora ramp on the Wakarusa River, paddle downstream to the Kansas River, and take out at De Soto. The De Soto USGS gauge is in the take-out corridor, and both endpoints are Friends of the Kaw public access ramps.
Access map
Put-in
Eudora Access RampThe Eudora ramp is on the Wakarusa River about three-quarters of a mile upstream from the Kansas River. This route launches there and paddles downstream to the Kaw rather than requiring the harder upstream take-out turn.
Take-out
De Soto Access Ramp / Riverfest ParkCheck Clinton Reservoir releases before launching because Wakarusa current, debris, and confluence conditions can still affect the first part of the trip.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at De Soto Riverfest Park, then drive back to the Eudora ramp at the Public Works / Main Street access. Inspect De Soto first because Friends of the Kaw notes city-event closures and a recurring sandbar at the toe of the ramp.
Additional access notes
- Friends of the Kaw notes that the De Soto ramp can close for city events and that a sandbar regularly forms at the toe of the ramp, sometimes requiring portage or a different landing angle.
- All access and parking are subject to same-day city, county, and ramp conditions. Mud, silt, event closures, and shifted sand can change ramp usability.
More route and safety guidance
- Check Clinton Reservoir releases and same-day Wakarusa conditions before using the Eudora launch.
- Wind, storms, floating wood, shifting sandbars, and private banks make this a guarded Kaw day rather than a casual beginner float.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Kansas River at De Soto, KS. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Kansas River at De Soto, KS |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Air temp | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 1,500 cfs to 5,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Friends of the Kaw safety bands and USACE Kansas River recreation flow impacts |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Public put-inEudora Access Ramp, RM 42
Friends of the Kaw lists the Eudora ramp with GPS 38.94999, -95.09963, public parking, picnic shelter, fishing platform, and kiosk. The ramp is on the Wakarusa River about three-quarters of a mile upstream from the Kansas River.
- Public take-outDe Soto Access Ramp, RM 31.3
Friends of the Kaw lists the De Soto ramp next to Riverfest Park with GPS 38.98496, -94.9746, public access, plentiful parking, restroom, trash can, and kiosk.
- Route distance10.7 river miles
The Eudora access page says the next downstream access is De Soto Access Ramp, 10.7 miles downstream at river mile 31.3.
- Public river and rampsKansas, Arkansas, and Missouri Rivers public in Kansas
Friends of the Kaw says the Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri Rivers are public rivers in Kansas and that all Kansas River boat ramps are open to the public.
- Flow safety bandsNovices under 5,000 cfs; all paddlers under 8,000 cfs
Friends of the Kaw recommends novice paddlers stay below 5,000 cfs and more experienced paddlers stay below 8,000 cfs; at 8,000 cfs and higher, few sandbars remain for rest stops.
- Low-flow recreation impacts<1,000 / 1,500-5,000 / 8,000+ cfs
USACE Kansas River recreation material identifies difficult paddling below 1,000 cfs, no recreation impacts from 1,500 to 5,000 cfs, novice impacts from 5,000 to 8,000 cfs, and extremely difficult paddling from 8,000 to 11,000 cfs.
- GaugeUSGS 06892350 at De Soto
USGS operates Kansas River at De Soto, KS in the take-out corridor, making it a direct same-river gauge for the downstream end of this route.
- Ramp condition caveatDe Soto sandbar and event closures
Friends of the Kaw notes that De Soto can be closed for city events and that a sandbar regularly forms at the toe of the ramp, so a pre-paddle scouting trip is worthwhile.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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