River Log section: St. Louis to Caruthersville
St. Louis to Caruthersville
144 - 140.5 RBD Harlow Island Division Middle Miss NWR In high water paddlers could dive into the woods at the top end of Harlow Island and bushwhack their way through to the bottom, where it re-enters the Mississippi just above the Truman Access Boat Ramp. Nearly 800 acres
St. Louis to Caruthersville
146.2 - 144.5 LBD Osborne Island Extensive sandbars at low water surround Osborne Island, but no protection, and it will be a noisy camp due to all of the industry of Buzzi Unicem, a giant cement manufacturing operation downstream on the main channel. Both sides of the main
St. Louis to Caruthersville
148.2 LBD Calico Island The best low and medium water camping in the area is found at the top end of Calico Island, with good flow around the backside until the water drops below 10 SLG. No sand at bankfull, but forest camping until flood stage. If you’re
St. Louis to Caruthersville
148.5 RBD Plattin Creek Good place to jump off the main channel for interesting exploration, with possible close-up wildlife viewing. Also excellent place to get out of the weather quickly. If you have oncoming storms from any direction, you could find safe refuge paddling a short ways up Plattin
St. Louis to Caruthersville
149.8 RBD Plattin Rock Boat Club (Hugs Landing) Private Ramp. Plattin Rock Boat Club (AKA Jefferson County Boat Ramp, Hugs Landing) is a wide concrete ramp in good condition, great spot with a well-lit parking lot, but is also privately owned, and you may or may not be welcome.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
151.6 RBD Joachim Creek You could dive into Joachim Creek at medium to high water levels above 12SLG for quick protection. But otherwise not very attractive for the giant lead mill located here. For wildlife and more interesting exploration try nearby Fountain Creek (156.3 LBD) or Plattin Creek
St. Louis to Caruthersville
151.8 RBD Herculaneum Industrious Herculaneum is not very inviting from the river. A busy lead mill is one of its highlights. But opposite the town is a series of small sandbars (one behind each wing dam) that at low/med water levels make for good picnicking and possible camping.
St. Louis to Caruthersville
155.5 - 153.5 LBD Meissner Island Division Middle Mississippi NWR The 78-acre Meissner Island Division is in Monroe County, Illinois is less than 20 miles from St. Louis’ southern suburbs. Former cropland is naturally returning to silver maple, willow and cottonwood bottomland. Trees such as bur oak and
St. Louis to Caruthersville
156.3 LBD Fountain Creek You can paddle a half mile up Fountain Creek at medium water 20 SLG or higher and get a good look into the floodplain biota of the American Bottoms. Approximately 2,000 feet upstream of the confluence a small blue hole was carved over the
St. Louis to Caruthersville
156.5 RBD Sulphur Springs Sulphur Springs is a quaint little village of several streets but no river landing, A small quarry behind is located south of town. You can paddle about a mile up Glaize Creek at medium water 20 SLG for a glimpse of the narrow bluff drainage,
St. Louis to Caruthersville
158 -149 LBD Foster/Meissner Island Dikes Foster Island is no longer an island these days except at flood stage, having been silted in by the whims of the river and vigorous channel maintenance by man. There are about ten miles of stubby dikes placed along the shore about every
St. Louis to Caruthersville
158.5 RBD Hoppie’s Marine Service Paddler-friendly Hoppie’s Marine consists of a series of 4 barges tied together on the Missouri shore 158.5 right bank descending just past the mouth of Rock Creek and the town of Kimmswick. Hoppie’s is owned by Fern Hopkins and her