I have recently discovered something about my state that I like a lot. It appears I have taken the access to river ways for granted. Apparently residents of other states, such as Kansas, who enjoy floating do not have the same opportunities as we do in the Show-Me State.

Generally speaking I think Kansas is a fine state, but I am going to pick on it here just because I have been enlightened on their issues and did a bit of research to confirm what I heard. Turns out that Missouri and Kansas regulations are similar on paper… both say that if a waterway is navigable then it’s public property. The difference is that MO uses this to provide public access, and KS uses it to restrict it. In Missouri, if it is physically possible to float it then chances are you have the right to do it. Kansas has determined that only 3 rivers in the entire state are ‘navigable’ and they are the barge sized mega-rivers that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to float in. Apparently, several rivers that are routinely floated further upstream in Missouri, such as nearby Spring River or Shoal Creek have been officially designated as ‘off-limits’ in Kansas.

The act of floating in Kansas isn’t actually illegal and it’s not to say that people can’t and don’t ever float in Kansas…but it is trespassing since the state lets private individuals have total ownership of their section of the river. Additionally, landowners can, and do construct various obstacles, barriers, barbed wire fences, dams, or whatever else they feel like. Personally I think this is a terrible and selfish approach and will lead to damaged and impaired rivers that are sorely under appreciated and largely unknown to the public. I know I didn’t fully appreciate area rivers until I started experiencing them and realizing how great they actually are.

Anyways… I am glad Missouri recognizes that rivers are bigger than any one person’s property and does not allow an individual to claim ownership of it. I am glad we Missourians have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the state’s rivers, large and small.