River Log section: Memphis to Helena
Memphis to Helena
652 LBD Friars Point Friars Point was once the major population center and seat of Coahoma County. Friars Point was located right on the river, the downtown a levee landing where cotton was loaded onto steamboats, and gamblers might be seen strolling the streets looking for the next unwary victim.
Memphis to Helena
654.7 LBD Montezuma Landing Possible shuttle access to Clarksdale via Highway 1 and the Friars Point Road (17.5 miles). Note: If you want to access Friars Point for resupply or visit continue downstream two miles to Friars Point Landing. The riverbank LBD along Montezuma Bend undulates in and
Memphis to Helena
LBD 656 East Montezuma Bar A shaggy mile-long Island with a large back channel that can be run above 20HG. Notoriously turbulent waters are found boiling along its top end main channel, and all along its long dike which connects to the Mississippi shore, novice paddlers should avoid crossing this
Memphis to Helena
657 LBD Yazoo Pass You will travel near the historic opening of Yazoo Pass as you paddle around Montezuma Bend starting near mile 657. The Yazoo Pass used to connect the Mississippi River via Moon Lake to the Tallahatchie River system, and was one of the many routes that Grant
Memphis to Helena
657-654 RBD Montezuma Towhead A three-mile long island at low water, one mile-long at medium, no sand at 35HG, goes completely under at flood stage 44HG. Montezuma Towhead was created when an unfortunate steamboat by the same name The Montezuma happened upon a snag in this section of river and
Memphis to Helena
661.6 Helena Bridge (Hernando DeSoto Bridge -- US Hwy 49) Paddlers: aim for whichever bridge opening is not occupied by towboat traffic and stay away from the pylons. The parent’s mantra “Look both ways before crossing” applies here! Downstream Tows might be descending from behind Buck Island still
Memphis to Helena
668 RB (a view of) Crowley’s Ridge D As you are approaching the top end of Buck Island you will be welcomed to the area with a grand view of Crowley’s Ridge. Helena is located at the Southern end of Crowley’s Ridge, “Where the Ridge meets the
Memphis to Helena
672 RBD Mouth of the St. Francis River Two miles below Stumpy Island right bank descending the mouth of the St. Francis opens up momentarily and affords a striking view westward through overhanging trees and jumping fish to the Crowley’s Ridge. If you aren’t looking for it, you
Memphis to Helena
674.5 Harbert Point Swift currents past the point will carry the downstream paddler quickly into the final approach to the mouth of the St. Francis River. You can stay left bank and duck behind the St. Francis Bar. Or you can stay main channel and enjoy a quick view
Memphis to Helena
677-676 Shoo Fly Bar Shoo Fly is what paddlers have come to name a dynamic low-lying open bar that forms below the Tunica Runout and is only visible in low water conditions, and goes completely under around 20HG. Paddlers should avoid camping here except in the most perfect of conditions.
Memphis to Helena
677-674 Stumpy Island Three mile long island (at low water) topped with a young willow/cottonwood/sycamore forest with beautiful camping all around. In high water levels best camping is found top end above the trees, and there is ample water flowing through the back channel. (Cutoff resident Rick Howe
Memphis to Helena
679-677 Hardin Cut-Off The main channel of the Mississippi explodes out of Walnut Bend and into a five mile southerly run through Hardin Cut-Off towards the mouth of the St. Francis. Here you will get your first views of Crowley’s Ridge, which meets the Mississippi at Helena. The faint