Together with Wichita State University & Shockertoberfest

Shocktoberfest has been Wichita State’s annual fall celebration of Shocker Spirit and Pride since 1991 and it is back this week and bigger than ever!

Shocktoberfest features fun events like a bonfire, brew garden and a community parade.

Everyone is invited! Whether you’re a student, alum or community member — come be a part of WSU’s biggest celebration of the year!

Families are also invited to take part in Shocktoberfest activities and join us October 3 & 4 for Family Weekend.

It caps off Saturday with Shocker Madness and a 100% free concert featuring Lupe Fiasco.

Free to attend!

Ar-Kansas River

One of the best, and most under-utilized, assets we have in Wichita is the Ar-Kansas River.

We are slowly getting more things along the river with the planned development near Equity Bank Park, Exploration Place playscape, and maybe some day some bars and restaurants on the water.

For today, let’s focus on what we do have - four dams.

Four Dams

​Back in the 1960’s, Wichita originally had plans for five dams along the river, but only two were built.

As of 2025, Wichita has four dams.

Starting upstream, here they are:

• 21st St - built just southeast of the ‘Big Ditch’ (which deserves its own deep dive), in the 1970’s. The four sections slow down heavy flood waters and prevent erosion.

• Central Ave - built in the early 1900’s, near the Riverside tennis courts. The purpose of this one is to keep water in the lil Ar-Kansas River to look nice and pretty. It also has buoys to catch driftwood and act as a warning to river-goers.

• Keeper of the Plains - built in early 1900’s at the confluence of the little Ar-Kansas and the Ar-Kansas River, originally built as a power generator

• Lincoln Street - more details below

Danger

I don’t think many people like to just take a dip in the Arkansas River for a few reasons, but with all the various water activities like kayaking available now, I did want to pass along a PSA.

​Kelsey Ryan wrote a great piece on the danger of low-head dams or “drowning machines” as they are called.

Low-head dams don’t look dangerous, but they are like a washing machine that can put hundreds of pounds of pressure on you in a strong hidden rotating reverse current.

Now that you know ALL about the dams overall, let’s double-click into the Lincoln Street Dam.

Original Lincoln Street Dam

The original Lincoln Street Dam was built in 1970 as an inflatable dam before some hooligans slashed it.

A permanent structure was built in 1976 to help control the water levels. Since it is downstream of the downtown area, controlling the water levels for the walking paths along either side is crucial.

The downside?

It cut the river off for fish and boats.

What did the fish say when he hit the wall? DAM!

Or that’s what they used to say until the new renovations with the fish pass.

New Lincoln Street Dam

A plan was put together to solve several issues including the fish and boat conundrum.

This 2012 project would cost $13.7 million (later inflating to $15.5 million) which shut down Lincoln Street. This new dam was built just downstream of the old bridge and is the only bridge in the Wichita area with a passage around it.

Within a year of completion, Wichita received heavy rains which washed out some of the area and additional damage.

The repairs for this damage pushed the dedication to 2015.

There are a few things that make this renovation notable and special:

• ADA Compliance Portage Dock - This allows boaters to exit before the dam and then reenter after.

• Boat Pass - Kayakers can ride the rapids around the dam without leaving the water.

• Fish Ladders - On both sides of the boat pass, there is a path for fish to also bypass the dam

National Water Trail

From Great Bend and extending 196 miles down the Arkansas River to the Oklahoma border, which includes the Lincoln Street Dam, were designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service.

Activities

If you're interested in the river recreational activities or renting kayaks, learn more here.

Fun fact - a man caught a 56.7 lb, 50 in long catfish at the Lincoln Street dam in 2019.

Or did you see the kids that caught this big ole spoonbill?

Did you learn something today?

What do you want to see us go deep on in a future deep dive?

Let us know!

Together with Prairie Fire Marathon

October is here. For some, that means Halloween.

For others, it means race month!

The next Prairie Fire Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5k, and more race day is on October 12th!

While this may not be enough time to train for a full or half marathon (or maybe it is, I wouldn’t know), you have time to get a few runs in before the 5K or the Mayor’s Friendly 5K!

This is your sign to sign up today so that you can’t back out tomorrow.

In the words of a supportive friend “You can do it!”

p.s. they are also looking for volunteers and there are a ton of new perks you should know about. Click here to learn more.

Quick Rundown

• Fall Festival | New Market Square | 10/12

• Parade of Homes | Various | 10/4 - 10/5

• Frank Einstein | Mosely St Melodrama | 9/19 - 11/1

• Ballpark Nights: Caleb Lee Hutchinson | Equity Bank Park | 10/4

• Shocker Madness | Koch Arena | 10/4

• Prairie Fire Marathon | Downtown | 10/12

• Nate Bargatze | Intrust Bank Arena | 12/10 (rescheduled from September)