Mile 395.0 - LBD Bayou Pierre
395 LBD Bayou Pierre
As you paddle around Coffee Point, the channel of Bayou Pierre is found only a mile over the trees and running parallel to the main channel of the Mississippi, even though the confluence is still another ten miles downstream. Like most Mississippi River tributaries Bayou Pierre follows the mother river for a while meandering back and forth as if deciding whether or not it really wants to join the matriarch or not. But of course eventually gravity and the big momma river eventually win over all others, and Bayou Pierre finally comes in at a severe angle and joins the Big Momma River like all waters before and after.
As with the Big Black, you can put in on Bayou Pierre and paddle into the Mississippi for a gradual and thorough introduction through all the varied ecosystems of the deep south: 1) the loess bluffs with its collapsing cliffs, unique vegetation, and even a few waterfalls found in some deep ravines, 2) the rolling hills in between the bluffs featuring a complex temperate forest (although today these lands are mostly cleared and farmed) 3) the cypress/tupelo gum bayous and swamps, covered with spanish moss 4) the bottomland hardwood forest, and 5) the willow/cottonwood forests common to the big river islands and flood-prone riverbanks. The bottomland hardwood forest, for instance, is the richest and most extensive such landscape in North America. A paddler coming down a tributary like Bayou Pierre will enjoy a long cross-section of these deep woods full of the largest trees of their kinds. Although these forests are frequently cut by lumber companies, and very few (if any) of the old growth giants remain, they are so productive and self sustaining that evidence of its greatness can be seen in isolated stands and harder to reach gullies. Give any one acre seventy five years to recover and only a trained eye would be able to discern the difference between it and a mature forest.
Paddlers can put in 17 miles upstream Bayou Pierre at the two mile bridge and paddle into the Mississippi meandering back and forth between bluffs and floodplain. Best done after rainfall when Bayou Pierre is running full.
Mississippi River Water Levels
St. Joseph Louisiana: at this point in the Rivergator we’ll switch over to the Natchez Gage. Low Water is 0-20. (Giant sandbars, back channels not passable) Medium water is 20-33 (Most back channels open, water flowing over dikes). High Water is 33-47. (All back channels open and flowing strong). The river is bank full at 40 Natchez Gage, and at 45 almost all islands are under water. Flood Stage: 48. To view water levels, go to: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/?n=lmrfc-mississippiandohioriverforecast. Paddlers are advised to stay off the Mississippi River at or above flood stage, which is 48 on the Natchez Gage.
Natchez Gage (NG)
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/?n=lmrfc-mississippiandohioriverforecast
Water levels according to the Natchez Gage
Low Water = 0 to 20 NG
Medium Water = 20 to 33 NG
High Water = 33 to 47 NG
Bank Full = 40 NG
Flood Stage = 48 NG and above
(NG = Natchez Gage)
Flood Stage Warning: above 48 NG paddlers are advised to stay off the river. Limited access. Most landings and approach roads will be underwater. Most islands will be gone. No easy camping. All sandbars will be covered. Fast waters with many hazards. All islands and landings will be surrounded by flooded forests full of snags, strainers, sawyers and all other dangerous conditions associated with floodwater moving through trees. Docks, wharves, dikes and any other man-made objects will create strong whirlpools, violent boils, and fast eddies. Towboats will create large waves. The Rivergator will not describe the river and its islands at any levels above flood stage.
Using the Natchez Gage:
6-15 NG water flowing through notches only
16 NG - rocks still exposed on all dikes
18-19 NG dikes starting to go under, some flow through breaks & low spots
20 NG dikes completely under, but little flow
29-30 NG good flow and lots of boils & turbulence
30 NG strong flow, some turbulence, no dikes exposed anywhere
40 NG river bank full
>48 NG Flood Stage
Warning: above 48 NG paddlers are advised to stay off the river. Limited access. Most landings and approach roads will be underwater. Most islands will be gone. No easy camping. All sandbars will be covered. Fast waters with many hazards. All islands and landings will be surrounded by flooded forests full of snags, strainers, sawyers and all other dangerous conditions associated with floodwater moving through trees. Docks, wharves, dikes and any other man-made objects will create strong whirlpools, violent boils, and fast eddies. Towboats will create large waves. The Rivergator will not describe the river and its islands at any levels above flood stage.
Fifteen mile paddle down the big waters of the Lower Mississippi River, the largest river in North America. Enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi Bluffs and long distance sights of islands, floodplain forests, and giant flocks of birds. Along the way paddle past the jungly mouth of Bayou Pierre, and the enchanting entrance to Rodney Lake Chute. At Bruinsburg 40,000 Union troops crossed the Mississippi in Grant’s final (and successful) attempt to sneak behind Vicksburg in 1863. Good picnicking or camping can be found on Bondurant or Spithead Towheads. Main channel is your fastest route, but many alternate routes are possible during higher water levels.
Put in at St. Jo and take out at Waterproof. Paddle in the main channel for the quickest route (15.5 miles), or follow alternate routes for visiting islands, back channels and other points of interest. Appropriate for canoes, kayaks or Stand Up Paddleboards, but only for experienced (and strong) paddlers capable of big volume waters, big waves, long crossings over open water, chaotic currents and possible side winds, head winds or tail winds. Carry VHF marine radio and use US Army Corps Maps of the Lower Mississippi for navigation. In general stay off the river if the wind is gusting above 20-25 mph. Please read below for more instructions and precautions.
Custom-made google map: