Water Safety in Kansas

Kansas water fun happens mostly on lakes and reservoirs. Wear a life jacket whenever you boat, paddle or swim in open water, and make sure anyone born in 1989 or later has passed a boater safety course before they drive a boat.

We found fewer verified Kansas-specific safety pages than for most states, so this page is shorter. It sticks to the official numbers and the state law.

Kansas drowning and boating numbers

1.11 per 100,000

• Drowning: CDC puts Kansas's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.11 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), in the lowest band on its map.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 15 reportable recreational boating incidents in Kansas in 2024, with no deaths and 10 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 8 in 2020, 4 in 2021, 1 in 2022, 2 in 2023 and none in 2024.
• Boats: 78,666 registered vessels in 2024.

A year with no boating deaths is good news, and small numbers swing from year to year. CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our Kansas data page.

Lakes and reservoirs

CDC reminds swimmers that lakes, rivers and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents or waves, rocks or vegetation, and limited visibility (opens in a new tab). Our guide lake swimming safety explains how to choose a spot and swim it safely.

Army Corps of Engineers data show who drowns at big lakes. On Corps lands nationwide in 2024, 91 percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets (opens in a new tab), 94% were male and 87% were adults. The Corps also reminds adults that swimming ability declines with age. That is why men and older boys are the group to reach.

In summer, check for algae warnings before you swim. Read is the water safe to swim in?

Kansas boating rules

Kansas law (K.S.A. 32-1139) says no person born on or after January 1, 1989, shall operate on public waters of this state any motorboat or sailboat (opens in a new tab) without a certificate showing they completed an approved boater safety course. The rule does not apply:

• to people 21 or older;
• to someone operating under the direct and audible supervision of a person over 17 who has a certificate or is exempt;
• to small sailboats without a motor used in an instructor-led class.

Boat owners must not let someone who needs a certificate drive without one. Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a moving boat (opens in a new tab).

This is a summary of the statute, not legal advice. Check the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks before you go.

What you can do today

• Put a fitted life jacket on every child, and on every adult who isn't a strong open-water swimmer.
• If you were born in 1989 or later and are under 21, finish a boater safety course before you drive.
• Check for algae and water quality warnings before a lake trip.
• Choose a swim area away from boat traffic, and swim with a buddy.
• Find lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.