Kansas River To Be National Historic Water Trail

Thu, January 19, 2012

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AP / Fletcher Powell

The federal government has begun the process for designating a portion of the Kansas River as a National Historic Water Trail.

Linda Craghead, assistant secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, said Wednesday that the designation would be an economic boost for communities along the stretch of the river between Junction City and where it meets the Missouri River near Kansas City.

Craghead discussed the possibility at a meeting of the Topeka and Shawnee County Riverfront Authority. She said the U.S. Department of Interior was working with the state to secure the designation.

State and federal officials said they will protect the rights of landowners along the river.

The country’s first historic water trail designation was issued in December 2006.