The City of Wichita and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) work together to monitor and analyze water quality of the Arkansas River throughout the Wichita River Festival which takes place in May.

Extensive sampling is done at the Lewis Street Bridge, near the location of most Wichita River Festival water events. The samples are then analyzed using state of the art computer models and a series of environmental and scientific criteria.

Based on this testing and the evaluations, the water quality of the river will be classified in one of three categories below:

Level 1 (blue)

The river is safe for all recreational activities.

Level 2 (green)

The river is safe for boating and other recreational activities so long as basic personal hygiene practices are followed.

Practices include:

• Avoid swallowing river water

• Wash hands before eating or drinking

• Shower or rinse off if you’ve had full body exposure in the water

• People who have recently undergone surgery, have open cuts or sores, or suffer from a chronic illness should avoid contact with the water.

• People participating in events on the water are also urged to wear life preservers, follow safe boating practices and avoid use of alcohol.

Level 3 (orange)

Means use of the river is restricted or prohibited because of an extraordinary event or adverse weather conditions.

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