Mile 587.0 - to 584.5 Malone Field (Barge Fleeting Area)

LBD 587 to 584.5 Malone Field (Barge Fleeting Area)

Most of the force of the river gets pushed out towards Big Island around the Terrene Dikes and a long slow-water area is found left bank descending below Great River Road State, sometimes pooling completely. A large eddy often forms near the last point LBD at mile 587 and the water pools below. If you have made a stop on the tallest bluffs bottom end of the above when you are ready to return to the river inspect the channel below and watch carefully downstream as you pull out. Large tows pull up to the bank in this area for fleeting services out of the Rosedale Harbor, and then pull back out into the river. You will see tows in places you don't usually see them, and there is no schedule to their activity. They run when they are packed completely with barges and then take off. Best practice: listen to VHF channel 13. Tow pilots will announce their intentions before pulling out. When the coast is clear paddle hard from the Mississippi shore and head over towards Big Island RBD and make you travel down the right side of the channel. Not only will you will be the furthest away from any tow activity, but you will also enjoy the fastest current.