The principal tributary of the
Smoky Hill River. The Saline, (Not to be confused with the Salt Creek or "The Grand Saline", otherwise called the
Cimarron River ), has its source in the S.W. part of
Thomas County. Flowing E. for 60 mi. across the S. part of Thomas and
Sheridan County. The Saline then turns slightly to the S., continuing a general E. course, however, across the N. part of
Graham County and
Ellis County thence proceeding across
Russell County N. of the center; E. through
Lincoln County; across the S.W. corner of
Ottawa, turning sharply to the S.E. emptying into the
Smoky Hill River a few miles below the city of
Salina, in
Saline County. The total length of the stream is about 250 miles. It is not navigable and has no large tributaries.
The drainage area of the Saline River is about 3,419 square miles, giving the entire Smoky Hill River Drainage Basin in Kansas a drainage area of about 12,229 square miles. Topography within the basin is flat to gently rolling, with narrow, shallow valleys and low relief.
