Smoky Hill River
A long plains river that crosses nearly all of Kansas from the Colorado line, passing Ellsworth, Lindsborg, Salina and Abilene, with Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Kanopolis Lake impounded along the way.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the Smoky Hill River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | 575 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | High plains of northern Cheyenne County, Colorado |
| Mouth | Joins the Republican River at Junction City, Kansas, forming the Kansas River |
| State | Kansas |
Cedar Bluff Dam and Kanopolis Dam form Cedar Bluff Reservoir and Kanopolis Lake.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the Smoky Hill River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
Lakes on or near the Smoky Hill River
Lakes in our guide on or near this river:
Facts from Smoky Hill River (Wikipedia) ↗