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Kansas

Lightning Creek

We don't cover this water yet

No agency boundary, access route or field report is mapped to it — so there is no verdict, and we won't guess. We'll tell you the moment this water has something to say.

Covered nearby

Waters within 25 miles where we do have a current picture.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

33.7 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
222 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
222 cfs
Average current
0.9 ft/s
Gradient
4.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
215 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Lightning Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.

About this water

Lightning Creek is a 34-mile paddling stretch near Girard, Kansas. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 222 cfs and a gradient of about 4.1 feet per mile.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Marmaton RiverPhoto: NOAA employee, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Marmaton River

~45 min drive

Marmaton River is a 26-mile paddling stretch near Bronson, Kansas. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 161 cfs and a gradient of about 7.4 feet per mile.

Carl Junction Access

~49 min drive

Carl Junction Access is a boat launch in Missouri.

Little Osage RiverPhoto: unknown NOAA employee, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Little Osage River

~1h 4m drive

Little Osage River is a 65-mile paddling stretch near Fulton, Kansas. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 406 cfs and a gradient of about 3.0 feet per mile.

Stones Corner Access

~53 min drive

Stones Corner Access is a boat launch in Missouri.

Limestone Creek

~12 min drive

Limestone Creek is a 14-mile paddling stretch near Cherokee, Kansas. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 59 cfs and a gradient of about 6.0 feet per mile.

Joplin Shoal Creek

~1h 4m drive

Joplin Shoal Creek is a boat launch in Missouri.

Hickory Creek

~14 min drive

Hickory Creek is a 24-mile paddling stretch near McCune, Kansas. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 78 cfs and a gradient of about 5.4 feet per mile.

Wildcat Access

~1h 5m drive

Wildcat Access is a boat launch in Missouri.

Walnut Creek

~18 min drive

Walnut Creek is a 21-mile paddling stretch near Walnut, Kansas. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 114 cfs and a gradient of about 4.9 feet per mile.

Tipton Ford Access

~1h 14m drive

Tipton Ford Access is a boat launch in Missouri.