Arkansas River Coalition
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WELCOME TO THE ARKANSAS RIVER COALITION!
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April 26, 2022

4/26/2022

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PictureNew Launch Site on the Little Ark. Photo by Jon Marr
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From the ARKANSAS RIVER COALITION NEWSLETTER 
             VOLUME 26, ISSUE II March-April 2022

                                                               President’s Message
The Pandemic seems to be in decline at last and ARC is beginning to schedule floats again. The first was a St. Patrick Day float on the Saturday the 19th locally from the new launch site in Woodland Park.

​There are 2 websites which are useful for paddlers:
(https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ks/nwis/current/? type=flow) provides flow rates at various sites along the rivers, and ( brown- bearsw.com/cal/coalition ) which lists the dates that coalition boats will be in use.

 

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                                New (relocated) Launch site 0n the Little Ark
 
​ The new launch site is ready and was used for its first official ARC float on Saturday, March 19th. Several work sessions were needed due to the weather and material delivery scheduling. The site was selected by Vince Marshall, Hoyt Hillman and David McGuire and approved by David McGuire and Larry Hoetmer. Planning was done by Hoyt. The basic ramp incline was established by Bret Russell and crew who removed the excess dirt . Randy Roths arranged for Cornejo to supply two 3 ton loads of crushed rock used as a bed and fill for the pavers which were purchased by ARC from Kansas Building Products. The following people were at the work sessions and supplied the labor to prepare and construct the site: Brian Bohnsack, Dorian Dater, Kevin Endicott, Ryan En- dicott, Andy Hall, J.A. Hall, Kara Hall, Lydia Hall, Hoyt Hillman, Kevin Hol- man, Alex Horton, Erin Horton, Lisa Horton, Roger Horton, Russ Icke, James Judd, John Judd, Cannon Marr, Jon Marr, Vince Marshall, Jamie Mills, Wyatt Mills, Mike Roosevelt and Rebecca Sellers. Thanks to all who helped on this project which should be valuable asset to the Wichita Park System for many decades.



​Kayaking and Canoeing on the Little Arkansas River in Wichita—Historical Landmarks and Other Interesting Sights Along the River..... ​
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The Little Arkansas River originates about 80 miles northwest (around Geneseo, KS). The river’s surface drainage from 7 counties encompasses an area of over 1,400 square miles before it joins the Arkansas River in Wichita. 

0.00 (m = miles) Beginning at the Woodland Park boat ramp.....this new ramp is locat- ed on the very spot where the Arkansas Valley Interurban Electric Railway had a bridge crossing that was used from the mid-1920s until around the year 1941. This electric railway provided passenger and light freight service on a rail line that ran from its station located next to the old Broadview Hotel to terminals in Newton and Hutchinson. 

The North and South Woodland Parks cover an area of around 27 acres of land adja- cent to the river. There is an open shelter and several picnic tables, a basketball/multi- use court, a playground and walking paths. 

Along the east side of the Little Arkansas River bank, an old Army Supply Road once ran from Fort Harker (located near Ellsworth, KS), to Fort Gibson in Oklahoma. The old military trail also provided supplies to Camp Beecher in Wichita. (1867-1870) [0.27 (m) - W. 18th Street N. road bridge] 

0.84(m) North High School was established in 1929. As early as the 1930s, and up to this day, it is still one of the few high schools in the U.S. that teaches canoeing in its Physical Education class. 

0.84 (m) Minisa Park {and Minisa Bridge (0.92m)....built in 1932} Minisa is an Indian word for ‘Red Water at Sunset’. The park has 9+ acres with an enclosed meeting facility, a swimming pool, a basketball /multi-use court, and a playground. 

0.96 (m) - 1.20 (m) Mead Island - created in the 1920s when a new river channel was excavated to reduce flooding over the south bank of the old channel. A 5 acre wildlife park was created between the two channels...named after James R. Mead, a pioneer plainsman, hunter, trader and one on the early Wichita founders. (note: use south channel) {1.22 (m) Bitting Street Bridge} 

1.28(m) An old cement dock still exists on the left bank and was originally built during the WPA days in the 1930s. 

1.40(m) Note the Cypress trees (on the left bank) with their roots or ‘knees’ protruding above the water level along the river bank. Also, from this point onward, note the many homes located along the river. 

1.65(m) Oak Park is located on the left. The park consists of 37+ acres of land and much of it is wooded acres for wildlife habitats....nature trails and a disc golf course. 

{1.95(m) West 11th N. Street Bridge}

1.98(m) The Riverside Castle (formerly called Campbell Castle) - built in the 1880s. 

2.20(m) Oak Park continues, then becomes North Riverside Park and extends along the left bank of the river as it makes a bend back to the east. The North Riverside Park con- sists of 30 acres with a historic Park Villa group meeting facility and the Girl Scout Little House. 

{2.54(m) Nims Street Bridge} 

2.70(m) Durfee’s trading post was once located on the north side of the river (where Back Bay Boulevard begins at the intersection of 9th St.) 

2.70(m) Central Riverside Park, a 58 acre public area is on the south. It was once the site of a quarter mile horse racing (sulky) course and a small city zoo. It currently has the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, a mini-Stonehenge astrological calendar area, and a splash pad, plus walking paths, playground and plenty of picnic tables. 

{2.96(m) W. Murdock St. Bridge} Note the signage above the water on the upstream side of the bridge that reads “Un-Powered Boats Not permitted Beyond This Point”....on the south side of the bridge a sign reads.... “Power Boats Not Permitted Beyond This Point”. Signage was in use during a previous era (1950s & 1960s) when both power boats and non-power boats were popular recreational vessels on this stretch of the river. Yes, the warnings can now be disregarded. 

2.98(m) The Isreal Family Boat House was once located on the east side of the river and just south of the east end of the Murdock Street river bridge. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a popular place for early Wichitans to swim and paddle canoes on the river. 

3.27(m) Note the private boat harbor and docks located next to Barclay Square Apartments on south side of river. 

{ 3.38(m) Nims Street Bridge} 

3.45(m) South Riverside Park is on the south bank of the river. The park was once the site of a big public swimming pool....now it is the site of the Ralph Wulz Tennis Courts and the Wichita Rowing Club’s boat storage facility and landing docks. In 1868-69, there was a frontier Army camp located on the northwest side of the tennis courts. It was alternately named Camp Butterfield, Davidson, and finally Camp Beecher during its brief life. 

3.53(m) End of paddling tour at one of the landing docks located on the south bank. 

Information researched and provided by Vince Marshall for the Arkansas River Coalition river floats (March, 2022) 

 


                                                         Upcoming Events

Board meeting.   July 11, 6:30 P.M.  Location to be determined.
Floats to be announced.  Watch this website.
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Other News

A new access point has been opened on the Ark River in Hutchinson at W. Fourth Ave. and Mohawk Road.    (Item posted on FaceBook.)
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April 12th, 2022

4/12/2022

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ARC Sea Scout Open House Recap

3/23/2021

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We'd like to thank everyone who attended and participated in our new Sea Scout Ship's Recruitment event at the Boathouse. It was a well attended event and we're excited about the Ship's first meeting on April 5th. Sea Scout Committee Chair Jamie Mills and Skipper Jonathan Marr enthusiastically explained the ship's mission and their vision for the future. Board member's of the ARC spoke about our mission and our delighted support for this knew youth program. It's never too late to apply. You can visit our Sea Scout Page for more details. Enjoy some photos. 
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March-APril 2021 Newsletter

3/8/2021

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President’s Message Environmentalists Wanted
The ARC Board of Directors wishes to expand the BOD with individuals who are interested in monitoring and improving the Arkansas River and its watershed. The mission of the Arkansas River Coalition is to protect, restore and improve the entire watershed and enhance the well-being of all life it sustains. Expanding the BOD with environmentalists should al- low more progress in the mission. Please contact any board member if you are interested.

Kay Drennen Lecture
ARC member and Extension Master Gardener Kay Drennen will present a program titled “ Designing Draught Tolerant Landscapes “ via Zoom.. This program will share planning and maintenance tips as well as a list of draught tolerant plants for your water wise landscape. Wichita Public Library is the sponsor, and one may sign up for the virtual programs by call- ing the library or using the library website. There are also four other programs on the series.
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Coalition News Board Meeting
Monday March 8, 2021 Zoom .us virtual
Monday May 10, 2021 Zoom .us virtual

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Lynn and Kathryn Thurlow

ARC Mini-Float Schedule
To find the schedule for Mini-Floats go to our website at www.arkrivercoalition.org or call Wally Seibel at 316-684-0730 or email wallyseibel@aol.com to get on his float list to receive float schedule announcements.

CONTRIBUTIONS $100 and over level:
Under $100 level:
Nancy Anderson
April 20, 2021

ARKANSAS RIVER COALITION, INC. NEWSLETTER
Editor: Jane Icke
Email: 2fe2o3y@gmail.com
Website Administrator: Tom Kneil
Board Members: Kay Drennen, Curt Demuth, Hoyt Hillman, Russ Icke, Jon Marr, Tom Kneil, Nicole Olson, Wally Seibel

Address: PO Box 3056, Wichita, KS 67201 Website: www.arkrivercoalition.org Facebook: Ark River Coalition Group
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Website
Our website is: http://www.arkrivercoalition.org
Watch for added information to the website in the future.

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Picture
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New BOD Member
The ARC BOD is pleased to welcome a new board member. Jon Marr retired from a fire service career. He is now the Deputy Director of Emergency Management for Sedgwick County. He has experience with virtual meetings and has been instrumental in setting up the ARC BOD meetings, which have become virtual because of COVID 19, as many of the BOD members are in the age range that is most at risk. He also has experience with web design and is working with Tom to make changes on the website. He is active in Sea Scouts and Healthy Kids Running Series. The Healthy Kid Running Series sponsors a series of races of varying distances for ages K through 8th grade. He is working with ARC as ARC becomes a sponsor of a Sea Scout Ship. Sea Scouts are affiliated with BSA.

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Since we are nearing a time when we can plan more float trips, here is a reprint of Wally’s article about PFD fitting.
Selecting and Properly Fitting a PFD (Life Jacket)
Having a life jacket is not enough. Wearing a life jacket is not enough. Only a PFD that is worn properly can be counted on to keep you afloat in the event of an emergency. Fitting a life jacket is not like fitting a winter coat. If a coat is inadequate the wearer can return for a refit. With a failing PFD there may be no second chance! According to some reports, a PFD not properly fitted may have been a significant contributing factor in a recent tragedy on our river.
SIZING: The life jacket should fit snugly without being too tight. The term the Coast Guard uses is “comfortably snug.” If you can’t make the life jacket fit snugly, then it is too big. If you can’t comfortably put it on and fasten it, it is too small.
Life jackets may be categorized by size: Infant, Child, Youth and Adult. The first step toward finding the proper fit is to determine which category the person you are fitting falls into. The chart below breaks down these categories by chest size and by weight in the infant child, and youth models to be used as a general guide.
Size
Chest
Weight
MUST HAVE
INFANT
- - - - - - -
< 30 lbs.
CROTCH STRAP HEAD SUPPORT & GRAB LOOP
CHILD
22” - 25” 30 - 50 lbs.
CROTCH STRAP
YOUTH
24” - 29”
50 - 90 lbs. PROPER FIT
ADULT
- - - - - -
<275 lbs. limit
PROPER FIT
FITTING: Once you’ve selected a size, follow these fitting steps.
  •   Loosen all the straps, put the PFD on and, if it has a zipper, zip it up.
  •   Start at the waist and tighten all the straps. It should feel snug but not uncomfortable.
  •   Next pull up on the PFD shoulders. If it moves up past your nose, ears, or head,
    tighten the straps. If it still moves up, the PFD is too large.


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Ark River Coalition Charters Sea scout ship

2/6/2021

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Picture
The Arkansas River Coalition Board of Directors has recently voted to charter a Sea Scout ship ("ship" is the Sea Scout equivalent of "troop" in BSA parlance.) The newest member of the ARC BoD, Jon Marr, is the "Skipper" of this ship and Jamie Mills is the contact person for the ship at the Quivira Office. Sea Scouts is open to youth ages 14-20. Our ship will focus on building youth leadership skills, water safety skills, and assisting the ARC with river conservation efforts and events. See the details on the Facebook page HERE 

If you'd like to become an adult leader with the Sea Scout Ship - or- would have a youth age 14-20 interested in being a Sea Scout contact 
Jon Marr - Skipper: 316-347-4675
Jamie Mills - Committee Chair: 512-228-7020

Sea Scout Ship One Recruitment Event and OPEN HOUSE is currently Scheduled for March 13th at 4pm at the Wichita Boathouse 515 S Wichita Street in downtown Wichita. 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Board Members
    • 501(c)3
  • Floats
    • General info
    • Upcoming Floats
    • Float reports
    • Waiver forms >
      • Adult waiver form
      • Minors Only waiver form
  • River Info
    • River Guide
    • History
    • ARCAP
  • Sea Scouts
  • Join ARC
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
    • Floating Dock ribbon cutting in Wichita 14 Sept., 2013
    • September 21 2013 float