Elk

Elk Falls (PnH)

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DifficultyIII
Length0.083 mi
Avg Gradient6 fpm
GaugeElk R at Elk Falls, Ks
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
18 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedSeptember 10, 2022

River Description

Elk Falls is a park and huck waterfall in the town of the same name.  The Elk River flows around a light bend and cuts through a layer of flint and sandstone into a bowl-shaped shallow gorge.  The river itself is pinched as it approaches the ledge by some man-made structures.  The falls is a ledge drop into relatively deep water depending on flows, of course.  Depending on what you are looking for this ledge can probably be slid down at 20 cfs but higher flows will make the excitement higher until it develops a terminal hydraulic and finally washes out.  There is a bonus small rapid at the takeout under the bridge.

The access is a local park at a historic bridge.  The area is rather economically depressed and the park is not all that busy most of the time.  The town of Elk Falls is a small community.

Park and huck.

From I-35: Take exit 19 and drive eastbound on US-160, following its twists and turns, to Elk Falls (about 73 miles). The waterfall is east of town at the old bridge near 4th street.  Park and hike down.  There is a ledge and a small rapid under the bridge.  20 cfs is totally ok for sliding off.


River Features

The Falls

Distance: 0 mi
Take Out
Access Point
Waterfall / Large Drop
The Falls

The waterfall on this run and the put-in.


WR
Will Reeves

Dec 28, 2021


20 cfs is fine 200 is probably huge.