The Arkansas River runs across four states and stretches 1,469 miles. In Southwest Kansas, the river has impacted political, economic, and environmental conditions in a distinctive way.
Recognizing the importance of the Arkansas River, the City of Dodge City, Main Street Dodge City, and Dodge City Community College have partnered to bring together the Cultural Currents project to kick off during Dodge City Days. Cultural Currents is 12 episode podcast series examining the Arkansas River in Southwest Kansas - its past, present, and future - including its impact on the area from multiple perspectives. Funded by Humanities Kansas.
In this special episode, the Cultural Currents team hosted a live panel discussion featuring several past podcast hosts, including Hannes Zacharias, Dr. Logan Simon, David Rodgers, and Megan Welsh, with Hugo Hernandez serving as moderator. Together, they reflected on past conversations, shared their unique perspectives, and answered questions from members of the live audience, creating an engaging and interactive discussion.
26 Jun 2026
Episode 9: Geographical Boundaries and trails
Featuring David Rogers of the KS Heritage Center and Keith Wondra of Boot Hill Museum, this episode explores the river's role in geography, settlement, and the stories that continue to connect Kansas' past.
29 May 2026
Episode 8: Envisioning a Positive Future for the Dry Arkansas Riverbed
Join CVB Director Megan Welsh, ATV enthusiast Brian Shirley, Parks Director Daniel Cecil, and family horse ranch owner/operator Bernice Ochoa as they imagine future recreational uses and opportunities for the dry riverbed.
24 Apr 2026
Episode 7: Hydrological Connections Between the Ogallala Aquifer and the Arkansas River
Rex Buchanan with the Kansas Geological Survey shares about the hydrological connections of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Arkansas River and how the use of these interconnected systems impacts communities in southwest Kansas.
10 Apr 2026
Episodio 4: Riego por Zanjas y el Canal Soule
Sara McFarland, bibliotecaria investigadora de la Biblioteca Pública de Cimarron, comparte recuerdos sobre el rancho de su familia situado a orillas del río Arkansas y el impacto del riego por zanquias
27 Mar 2026
Episode 6: Indigenous Peoples’ Historical Encounters Along the River
Novelist and author Max McCoy shares about different historical and cultural events surrounding Indigenous People’s encounters with conquistadors, American colonists, and the US army.
13 Mar 2026
Episodio 3: Manejo de Cultivos y Riego
Profesor asistente en KSU y agrónomo del área suroeste, Dr. Logan Simon, comparte sobre la importancia del río Arkansas para la agricultura y los avances realizados en las técnicas de riego de cultivos.
2 Mar 2026
Cultural Currents Special Crew Episode
The production crew of the Cultural Currents Podcast recently sat down for a special bonus episode to reflect on the journey so far. In this fun and relaxed discussion, the team shared their favorite moments, memorable stories, and behind the scenes experiences from their time exploring and discussing the Arkansas River. The episode offers listeners a lighthearted look at the making of the podcast and the stories that have shaped it along the way.
30 Jan 2026
Episode 5: History of the KS-CO Water ComPact
Washburn Law Professor Burke Griggs talks about legal rights and disputes over the use of water from the Arkansas River.
26 Dec 2025
Episode 4: Ditch Irrigation and the Soule Canal
Sara McFarland, research librarian at the Cimarron Public Library, shares memories about her family’s ranch located along the arkansas river and the impact of ditch irrigation.
1 Dec 2025
Episodio 2: Cabalgatas y Día de la Independencia de México
Sergio García y Xavier Cienfuegos, organizadores de la Cabalgata de Dodge City, hablará sobre la historia de las cabalgatas, su significado cultural y el uso del lecho seco del río Arkansas.
7 Nov 2025
Episode 3: Crop management and irrigation
KSU Assistant Professor and Southwest Area Agronomist dr. logan simon shares about the importance of the arkansas river to agriculture and advancements made to crop irrigation techniques.
31 Oct 2025
Episodio 1: Inundaciones, Mantenimiento de Ríos y FEMA
Los ingenieros profesionales Ray Slattery y Tanner Rutschman comparten sobre la histórica inundación de 1965 y los esfuerzos para garantizar que los diques de Dodge City puedan resistir un futuro evento de inundación.
26 Sept 2025
Episode 2: Cabalgatas & Mexican Independence Day
Sergio Garcia and Xavier Cienfuegos talks about the significance of a cabalgata and the cultural ties of this procession of horseback riders through the Arkansas riverbed.
29 Aug 2025
Episode 1: Floods, River Maintenance, and FEMA
Professional Engineers Ray Slattery and Tanner Rutschman share about the historic 1965 flood and efforts to ensure Dodge City’s levees can withstand a future flood event.
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