St. Louis to Caruthersville

Mile 24.0 - High Water: 24 - 30SLG: Open Channel

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

High Water: 24 - 30SLG: Open Channel

At 25 feet SLG the Chain becomes a smooth undulating field of fast-flowing water with minor turbulence. Maybe you will see some big boils and notice a slight undulation in the water as you slide over the ledge, but otherwise you can run through almost anywhere you feel like paddling. Stay bank right if you want to reach North Riverside Park. Stay bank left near Chouteau Island if you want to make a landing at the Fishing Area or jump into the back channel of Mosenthein Island. Stay middle river for the optimal route downstream to make landing at the top end of Mosenthein Island -- and the best picnic spots and campsites in the area.

Be forewarned: even though highwater has made the Chain an easy run, dangerous swiftwater conditions await you not far downstream in the St. Louis Harbor around all of the docks, wharves and bridge piers!

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