The map below illustrates the Smoky Hill River Channel’s path through Salina, engineering elements required to restore and maintain flow, potential riverside trail systems, and the proposed downtown riverwalk placement.
The Smoky Hill River Restoration was passed in the 2016 sales tax mail-in-ballot by the City of Salina. The Friends of the River need your support to help the City of Salina bring back the Smoky Hill River to its rightful role in the aesthetic, recreational and economic life of our community!
In the early history of Salina, Kansas, the Smoky Hill River meandered throughout the town for 6.8 miles. However, after the devastating flood of 1951, the City of Salina took action to remedy the flooding problem in the community. In 1961 the river was diverted by the Corps of Engineers to the east side of town, and the once beautiful river became a silted-in riverbed with almost no flow. Since then, the community has sought a way to restore its waterway while leaving the floodgates and dike intact.
The Friends of the River Foundation’s main goal is to restore water flow to the Smoky Hill River. In collaboration with the City of Salina, a 2016 ballot measure was passed for a small increase to Salina’s sales tax for renewal of the river. The City of Salina is overseeing the restoration in collaboration with HDR, the engineering firm hired in 2017. The City of Salina signed it first contract with the Corps of Engineers in 2018 and in the summer of 2024 a new contract was signed with the Corp for the Smoky Hill River to enter a GI Program that allowed for more funding for the riverway. The Corp’s part of the project would cost $13.7 million with the goal of the Corps to restore the riverway to a living ecological waterway.
Other funding found for the Smoky Hill River is the RAISE Grant from the Federal Transportation Department. This $22.1 million grant’s contract was signed in the summer of 2024. The RAISE Grant project funds trails next to the river, an urban board walk on a small portion of the river next to downtown and build new bridges to allow boating with construction beginning in 2027and by 2030 phase 1 will be finished with a flowing river with new bridges and trails.
The Smoky Hill River Renewal project will transform a damaged ecosystem to a living, thriving one and will restore the identity of the Salina Community as a river town. The completed project will offer accessibility to all community members and guests of Salina for hiking, running, boating and fishing along the waterway. It will also provide natural education for all ages, as well as opportunities for volunteers to help with maintaining a natural asset that is iconic for Salina.
“Salina exists for only one reason. The Smoky Hill River. Beginning with a ferry across the river, to a trading post, to water powered mills, to a growing city, the history of Salina is irrevocably tied to the river. Now, with it’s renewal, it will be the jewel in the crown of downtown redevelopment, a source of civic pride, and an economic asset for the entire community.”
Mike Mattson
“I envision a revitalized river where we can gather with friends and family, creating new memories – kayaking, fishing, and simply enjoying the beauty of nature. This project isn’t just about revitalizing a river; it’s about bringing life and joy to Salina, and I’m wholeheartedly behind it!”
Rafael Mendez - V.P. of Customer Culture, Blue Beacon, Inc.
“Living along the river in Downtown Salina has been a wonderful experience for my family. Getting up in the morning, watching the wildlife, and hearing the river flow when it rains makes us feel more connected to our environment. The river revitalization project will allow our community to strengthen and return to nature but also allow the wildlife that lives off of its resources to thrive.”
Elizabeth Ali-Schade - Director of Operations, Theatre Salina
