Mile 624.5 - Mouth of DeSoto Lake

LBD 624.5 Mouth of DeSoto Lake

[CLICK HERE: Map of Island 64, Mellwood Lake, DeSoto Lake]

Similar to the mouth of Mellwood Lake but longer, almost a mile from the river to the open lake. Any paddler intending to enter DeSoto Lake (possible take-out) will have to begin planning miles upstream, inspect maps and start your route as you leave the bottom end of Island 64 before the first of the Sunflower Dikes. At medium and high water levels the main channel of the river will thrust you outwards to the Arkansas side. As result you will have to either hug the Mississippi side and make a run over the sometimes turbulent Sunflower Dikes, or you will be required to make a very strong ferry crossing below the last dike (opposite Mellwood at 625.6). At low water you will have to paddle beyond the last of the sandy islands growing around the Sunflower Dikes (see above) and then cut back upstream into the becalmed waters behind. Like all river connections the Mouth of DeSoto Lake remains hidden until you are right on it or are approaching from just the right angle. There are several public use boat ramps (and many private ones) on DeSoto Lake, most easily accessed is Hillhouse Landing. Viable start place or end place for any paddler. Stillwater paddling across lake, but if you want to see wildlife, especially birds, turtles and deer, the effort will be rewarded.