Mile 395.0 - LBD -- Mouth of Bayou Pierre

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

395 LBD -- Mouth of Bayou Pierre

Downstream Paddlers can easily eddy out into the mouth of Bayou Pierre and paddle upstream a ways for fantastic wildlife viewing including birds, mammals, amphibians and alligators. Bayou Pierre runs along the loess bluffs into central Mississippi. Mouth of Bayou Pierre is located at Mile 395. Paddler Layne Logue added this interesting tidbit: “As you know, Choctaw for “bayou” is “meandering stream” and “Pierre” is French for “rock”. You can find plenty of petrified wood, fossils and sometimes arrowheads on the Bayou Pierre. Especially during low water when the gravel sandbars are exposed.”

Main Channel St. Jo to Waterproof

15.5 miles. Put in at St. Jo and cross river and follow strong flow along Mississippi Bluffs below Bondurant. Stay left bank through Rodney Cutoff and make crossing back to Louisiana side in Kempe Bend. Look for Farmer's Grain Dock right bank descending mile 381. Take-out landing a couple hundred yards downstream of grain elevator. Total paddle time high water in good weather could be 2-3 hours. In low water 4-5 hours.

RBD Med/High Water Route -- Back Channel

RBD = Right Bank Descending. During periods of Medium or High river levels paddlers can follow a back channel route behind several island. Leaving St. Jo stay Right Bank Descending against the Louisiana shore and follow current behind Bondurant Towhead and further downstream the Island at Brown's Field Dikes. If there is water going in behind an island, there will be water coming out. Watch for snags and strainers, and be vigilant for upstream tows hugging the bank as you return to main channel.

Stay Left Bank Descending (LBD) against the Mississippi shore past Rodney Point and go behind Spithead Towhead (Island). Only possible during periods of Medium or High river levels (25-48 Natchez Gage). Be watchful and yield right of way to any tows as you return to main channel and make your crossing over to Waterproof for takeout.

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