Mile 361.0 - LBD St. Catherine Creek (New Mouth)

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

361 LBD St. Catherine Creek (New Mouth)

This mid-sized creek starts in the hills north of Natchez and scribes an arc around the city itself. St Catherine’s Creek has played an important part in the history of Natchez from the era of the Natchez Indians and also for early settlers. For most of the year the creek is ankle deep, with a few deeper pools. The real treat is the rare time that the Mississippi achieves a stage well beyond flood.

For paddling on St Catherine, any stage above 40 ft on the Natchez Gauge will do. Access will be limited to putting in at the Adams County Port boat ramp and paddling downstream for a distance of several hundred yards to the mouth of the creek. Stages in the low 40’s will allow a paddler to go upcreek several miles as far as the Lower Woodville Rd bridge. Cut bank, some loess and stands of willow and cottonwood are the most prominent features.

Above flood stage, 48 ft, and into the high 50’s gives the ultimate experience. A touch of wilderness in an urban environment. This also allows for a put in at Providence Park, located on Highland Blvd. Beyond the bridge at Lower Woodville Rd more loess bluffs

appear. Large stands of cottonwood, pecan, sycamore and an occasional cherry tree appear. If one is lucky, oak leaf hydrangea can be seen as well. There is also a diverse environment for wildlife. Alligators, deer, soft shelled turtle, a variety of snakes and dozens of bird species thrive here. The pinnacle of this experience is to catch a very high river stage during the spring migration of the neo-tropical birds with a visit to the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians by canoe.

When conditions are right, this area makes for pleasant paddling for those of any experience level. Private property borders the creek on both sides, so this must be a consideration for any place that a stop may be made. (Adam Elliott)

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