Elk River Falls - Elk Falls, KS
Posted by: YoSam.
N 37° 22.452 W 096° 11.086
14S E 749281 N 4140104
Natural in the elevation drop of the river. UPDATE: Falls are 100' wide and 10'+ high (flowing as in photos). In May falls widen to 180' as flow increases.
Waymark Code: WMNG14
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 03/09/2015
Views: 2
County of falls: Elk County
Location of falls: Elk River, just W. of Montgomery St and Pratt Truss Bridge, Elk Falls
"Elk Falls takes its name from a waterfall on the Elk River, near the site of the town. Two early settlers were the widow Prudence Crandall and her brother Hezekiah, both of whom are buried in the town cemetery" ~ Wikipedia
"152 cfs at Elk River at Elk Falls, KS on June 5, 2013. Photo by Slade Hackney, USGS" ~ US Army Corps of Engineers
Kansas Travels
"The Falls, as it is known locally, is where the town of Elk Falls (pop. 120 or so) derives its name. The natural waterfall is about 10 ft. high and approximately 100 ft. wide, formed by the stone outcropping across the river. It was once the site of a waterpowered grist mill which was built in 1875. The water was originally channeled to one side by a log dam to turn the water turbine. Floods washed out the early wooden dams until the curved stone dam was constructed by Jo Johansen, a Swede from Minnesota. This stone dam is still standing after well over 100 years of floods. The falls are easily viewed from the 1893 iron truss bridge, or you can hike down to the water's edge on the massive limestone slabs on either side of the river. It's a great place for picnics, fishing, birdwatching, or just relaxing to the soothing sound of rushing water. As one of the most photographed sites in Elk County, the Elk Falls is a terrific example of the natural beauty of Southeast Kansas." ~ LASR