River Log section: Caruthersville to Memphis
Caruthersville to Memphis
847 RBD Blaker Towhead Long distance paddlers needing a resupply stay bank right for optimal access for the landing in downtown Caruthersville (see below for description). Those continuing on without stopping here might want to enjoy the backwater pleasures of Blaker Towhead. The back channel of Blaker Towhead opens up
Caruthersville to Memphis
848 RBD Trinity Barge Fabrication Plant After leaving the Caruthersville Harbor the downstream canoeist, kayaker or surfer (stand-up-paddlebpard) will soon paddle by a noteworthy river-related industry right bank descending. Trinity Barge Fabrication Plant specializes in large ocean-going barges. Like many ship-builders they launch their finished product by the “slide method.
Caruthersville to Memphis
849 RBD Mouth of the Caruthersville Harbor There is a primitive landing RBD over rip-rap at mouth of harbor that is often frequented by local fishermen (and women!). This landing is open at all water levels, but best used during higher water levels when the river covers the rip-rap. At
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 850 - 737 Options For Paddlers in the Caruthersville Stretch Caruthersville Area River Routes Caruthersville is located midway down a series of tight looping river bends followed by long straightways with islands that offer a plentitude of paddling routes, including a number of day trip options above and below
Caruthersville to Memphis
850 rbd Caruthersville Harbor Boat Ramp (1/2 mile up harbor) Wide Concrete Boat Launch located within the protected waters of the Caruthersville Harbor. Excellent start place for any expedition. Best landing in area. Also 2nd (older) ramp nearby. Don’t leave vehicles overnight; arrange shuttle. Ramp usable at all
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 752.7 Shelby Forest Boat Ramp Concrete revetment ramp that bottoms out in layers of thick mud at low water (but fortunately serviced by State Park Maintenance). Serviceable at all water levels up to flood stage. Huge parking area. Often used by towboats for crew changes. Excellent start place
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
LBD 768.9 Richardon’s Landing All that remains of Richardon’s Landing is a deep inlet full of powerful boils and eddies and the ragged edge of asphalt that was once Tennessee Highway 59, which was ripped from its final hundred feet by the insatiable appetite of the main
Caruthersville to Memphis
LBD 773.5 Mouth of the Hatchie River The Hatchie River is the biggest volume river of all West Tennessee tributaries, partly due to the fact that it alone was never dredged, straightened, or otherwise channelized. The Wolf, The Loosahatchie, the Obion, and the Forked Deer - all are suffering
Caruthersville to Memphis
Memphis gage In this lower portion of the Tennessee Rivergator Trail we are now leaving the Caruthersville gage and switching to the Memphis gage which we’ll denote as “MG” http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/?n=lmrfc-mississippiandohioriverforecast Low Water = -5 to 15 MG Medium Water = 15 to 25 MG