River Log section: Caruthersville to Memphis
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 773.5 Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge Lower Hatchie NWR sits along the lower 17 miles of the Hatchie River in western Tennessee. Unlike most Mississippi River tributaries that have been straightened and levees constructed for flood control, the Hatchie River remains the longest continuous stretch of naturally meandering
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 777-773.5 Hatchie Towhead 3 mile long towhead good only in low or medium water conditions, goes completely under around 25 CuG. During low water the Hatchie Towhead extends all the way up to the base of the 1st Chickasaw Bluff and can be possibly accessed via Tennessee 87,
Caruthersville to Memphis
RBD 778-773 Sunrise Towhead - Island 34 Giant privately-owned island whose top end begins almost directly opposite the base of the First Chickasaw Bluff. At low water possible campsites emerge from the muddy sandy lowlands near RBD 777-778, these quickly disappear as the river rises. By medium water there will
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 779-778 First Chickasaw Bluff As you paddle around Craighead Point RBD 779 (opposite the Old Channel of the Forked Deer) you will be rewarded with one of the most arresting views along the Lower Mississippi: the First Chickasaw Bluff. It seems like the entire river slams up against its
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 779.8 Old Mouth of the Forked Deer Oftentimes a rough landing (ragged revetment at medium and low waters, driftwood piles at high water) but well worth the visit. Paddle as far as you can up and into the old channel of the Forked Deer where old willows hang
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 782 Driver Island Small forested island with substantial bar at low water, ideal picnicking and camping around 20-25 CuG, goes completely under at flood stage. Noisy Power Plant Arkansas shore and upstream a mile.
Caruthersville to Memphis
RBD 783.5 Sans Souci Boat Ramp Excellent Boat Ramp with ample parking on either side. Best ramp above Memphis. Perfect put-in for canoeing or kayaking the four Chickasaw Bluffs into Memphis (which sprawls over and behind the 4th bluff). Don’t leave vehicle overnight; arrange shuttle. As you leave
Caruthersville to Memphis
RBD 785 Osceola Arkansas If you stay main channel watch for anchored tows as you come around Plum Point. Two grain elevators are located within the Osceola Harbor, and a third one found two miles downstream next to a huge coal-fired power plant. As described above, the only access to
Caruthersville to Memphis
Intro: Caruthersville to Memphis: Welcome to the 2013 update to the Rivergator: Paddlers Guide to the Lower Mississippi River! This section covers the 113 miles of the big river from the paddler-friendly town of Caruthersville, Missouri to the thriving metropolis of Memphis Tennessee, the largest city south of St. Louis.
Caruthersville to Memphis
rbd 783.5 Sans Souci Boat Ramp Excellent Boat Ramp with ample parking on either side. Best ramp above Memphis. Perfect put-in for canoeing or kayaking the four Chickasaw Bluffs into Memphis (which sprawls over and behind the 4th bluff). Don’t leave vehicle overnight; arrange shuttle. As you leave
Caruthersville to Memphis
rbd 785 Osceola Arkansas If you stay main channel watch for anchored tows as you come around Plum Point. Two grain elevators are located within the Osceola Harbor, and a third one found two miles downstream next to a huge coal-fired power plant. As described above, the only access to
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD Back Channel Island 30 786.5 Narrow concrete ramp dropping into back channel one mile north of Osceola. From Is. 30 Back Channel keep vigilant watch RBD for a small opening and landing beyond, known locally as Jacksonville Landing, but signed as “Neark Landing” by Arkansas Game & Fish