Mile 525.0 - American Cutoff/Lake Lee
LBD 525 American Cutoff/Lake Lee
Viewed from the sky American Bar has the shape of a mallard’s head with the beak pointing downstream. At medium water levels (above 30GG) you can follow the American Cutoff and paddle behind Lakeport Towhead/American Bar. The Mississippi River broke through a meander of the river here during the great flood of 1858 and created Lake Lee. One of the first steamboats to push through the new channel was Captain Bixby’s Paul Jones under whom the young Mark Twain was serving as cub pilot (as narrated in the classic 1883 Life on the Mississippi). If the river is higher than 30 on the Greenville Gauge you can slide behind Lakeport Towhead and through the American Cutoff. Slow flow at medium water, good flow (maybe 3mph) at high water. If the river is 40 or above you can follow a narrow back channel from the bottom of American Cutoff which dives through the forest at RBD 525 above the first of the Walnut Point Dikes. This delightful channel meanders through tattered forests (that look like they’ve bee recently logged or thinned) for some respite from the wind, the sun, and the loneliness of the long distance channel. A mile down this chute, which we’ll call the Walnut Point Chute since it cuts behind Walnut Point, the route splits again into two equally sized channels, one running due east and the other due south. This is the entrance to the Lee Lake Pass. The water here could be flowing either direction
depending on rainfall and river levels. In a rising river the water will be pushing eastward into the pass. In a falling river it will be running westward out of the pass. In a steady river there will be no motion. Rainfall over the lake will have a minimal affect on the same, unless Lee Lake just happens to experience one of those Delta torrential downpours so carefully localized that 2-3 inches of rain falls only over the lake and its immediate drainages. But this would be rare to the utmost. Paddle quietly up the Lake Lee Pass for bird and wildlife sightings. The water will clear out eventually and you will be able to see the turtles, gar, sturgeon, paddlefish, catfish, buffalo, and others that had been previously concealed by the muddy waters.
Lake Lee Public Boat Ramp
Short narrow concrete ramp into Lake Lee off the levee. Doesn’t reach water below 20GG. Access to the Mississippi only in medium and high water levels. Cut off in low water. Land connection is from Hwy 1 eleven miles south of Greenville and over the levee on Riverside Road. Grassy parking area, but don’t leave your vehicle overnight.
Options for Paddlers Below Greenville Bridge near American Bar and Lake Lee
After flying below the Greenville Bridge downstream canoeists and kayakers can stay main channel for a ten mile straight shot down to the Kentucky Bend, or follow the American Cutoff behind Lakeport Towhead. Further Exploring is possible behind Walnut Point at medium or high water, with a remarkable safari through the Lake Lee Pass.
Main Channel
Stay main channel for a ten mile straight shot down to the Kentucky Bend going with the strongest flow which is found almost continuously middle and then slowly edging left bank over the distance of about ten miles.
American Cutoff behind Lakeport Towhead
If the river is higher than 30 on the Greenville Gauge you can slide behind Lakeport Towhead and through the American Cutoff. Slow flow at medium water (2mph), good flow (maybe 3mph) at high water. If you find connection at low water be ready for a long flat water paddle behind the island.
Walnut Point Chute
Look for the opening in the forest at RBD 525 above the first of the Walnut Point Dikes. This delightful channel meanders through tattered forests (that look like they’ve been recently logged or thinned). If the Chute becomes clogged with driftwood towards the
bottom end you might have to cut through the adjacent flooded forests of Walnut Point to return to main channel.
Lee Lake Pass
The water here could be flowing either direction depending on rainfall and river levels. In a rising river the water will be pushing eastward into the pass. In a falling river it will be running westward out of the pass. In a steady river there will be no motion. Paddle quietly up the Lake Lee Pass for bird and wildlife sightings. The water will clear out eventually and you will be able to see the turtles, gar, sturgeon, paddlefish, catfish, buffalo, and others that had been previously concealed by the muddy waters.
The Mississippi has been engaged in the business of making oxbow lakes out of its old bends for several centuries. One of its oldest and most beautiful creations is Lake Washington. Geological evidence suggests that this lake may have been in existence for about 700 years.
The big lake covers several thousands of acres and was once widely known for its abundant fish and waterfowl population. Before the Civil War, several wealthy Delta planters built impressive mansions on the banks of the beautiful lake. Some of the houses still stand.
During the past half century, Lake Washington has been rapidly deteriorating. Some of its shoreline is spoiled by fishing camps, trailers, and cottages, and the lake waters have become heavily polluted with herbicides, pesticides, and commercial fertilizers used on the adjoining plantations. In 1973, the lake was closed to commercial fishing because of the dangerous level of contamination. Extensive land clearing in the Yazoo- Mississippi Delta has led to increased exposure to runoff from the farm fields, and aerial spraying of crops in the area may also have contributed to the problems at the lake.
(From Braggs: Historic Names)