Smoky Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smoky Hills |
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| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| States | Kansas and Nebraska |
| Region | Plains Border (subregion) |
| Range coordinates | 38°47′30″N 97°59′51″W / 38.79167°N 97.99750°W |
| Parent range | Great Plains |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
The Smoky Hills are a hilly area in the Great Plains of North America. They are mostly in north-central Kansas and a small part of south-central Nebraska. This region is known for its rolling hills and wide-open spaces. It is a part of the Midwestern United States.
Contents
Exploring the Smoky Hills
The Smoky Hills are a unique part of the Great Plains. They offer a mix of natural beauty and important human activities.
Rivers and Reservoirs
Several rivers flow east through the Smoky Hills. These include the Republican River, Saline River, Solomon River, and Smoky Hill River. These rivers begin in the High Plains and make their way through the hills.
Starting in the 1940s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built dams on these rivers. They did this to control floods and help with irrigation for farms. These dams created many large reservoirs, which are like big lakes.
Major Lakes in the Hills
Some of the important lakes formed by these dams include:
These lakes are popular spots for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities.
Life and Land Use
The land in the Smoky Hills is mostly used for farming. You will see many fields of crops and pastures for animals. The region does not have a lot of people living there. Most towns are small.
There are no very large cities in the Smoky Hills. The two biggest cities you will find are Salina, Kansas and Hays, Kansas. These cities serve as centers for the surrounding farming communities.
Images for kids
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KDOT distance map color-coded by physiographic region showing the Smoky Hills (center)
