River Log section: St. Louis to Caruthersville
St. Louis to Caruthersville
943 - 939 RBD Chute of Is. No 2 (Lucas Bend) Adventuresome paddlers ready for back channel exploring should look for the obvious opening through the forested riverbank around RBD mile 943. Slow flow at 25, gentle at 30, strong at 35. Five mile bend around the bulky shape of
St. Louis to Caruthersville
945 - 943 RBD O’Bryan Towhead/Pritchard Dikes Possibly camping on the sandbar, but often muddy and trashy, best in low water levels, up to around 20 CG, then goes completely under, although the small sliver of forested island behind stays dry until around 35CG. Paddlers seeking shelter from
St. Louis to Caruthersville
943.6 LBD Carlisle County Boat Ramp Well designed concrete boat ramp descending at moderate angle amongst the rip rap in the deep water of the main channel near mile 943.6.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
944.5 LBD Island No. 1 Boat Ramp Low angle concrete ramp that bottoms out in mud in med/low water levels (30CG and below), and not always maintained. Best bet if you need access in this area is to go on down to the next ramp, the Carlisle County
St. Louis to Caruthersville
950.5 - 945.5 RBD Pritchard Revetment Revetments are protective works designed to retard or halt the attack of currents against the banks of the river. They help preserve waterfronts, levee systems, and other flood control and navigation works. There are more than 600 miles of revetment work along
St. Louis to Caruthersville
947.7 RBD Pritchard Boat Ramp Narrow concrete boat ramp in pretty place along the river, kind of feels like a French road with a single line of mature cottonwood trees behind, accessible from levee. Good at most water levels down to 5CG, parking lot goes completely under around 35CG.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
949 - 946 LBD Island No. 1 A small indication of what’s to come downstream, Island No. 1 rises to its full height with its best camping below the small forest of scrubby willows near mile 948. Note: On the Lower Mississippi River, make sure there are no oncoming
St. Louis to Caruthersville
949 RBD Norfolk Landing Abandoned Boat Ramp, but usable in an emergency. Access from levee just north of where 302 meets levee road 303. Steep banked sandbar. Good protection from storms and wind out of the west.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
950 LBD Mayfield Creek You could dive into Mayfield Creek in inclement weather for quick exit from the elements, but you won’t want to stay long. Mayfield Creek is located directly in between the Westvaco Pulp Mill and its nasty cleaning pools.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
950 LBD Westvaco Pulp Mill Dock You won’t want to be camped anywhere downwind of this monstrous pulp mill spewing the usual foul concoction of pulp aromas including known carcinogens, toxins, and dioxins.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
950.2 LBD Mayfield Boat Ramp Gated and not maintained. On USACE 2007 maps incorrectly labelled as “Fort Defiance Boat Ramp.”
St. Louis to Caruthersville
951 LBD Wickliffe Cross (Jefferson Hill Memorial Cross) Kayaker Jerry Bell “married the Mississippi” when he threw his old wedding band in the water and swore to “honor and protect” his newlywed below this 90 foot tall cross officially known as the Jefferson Hill Memorial Cross. Jerry and his pipe-fitter