Mile 734.7 - Lower Bridges/Engineer’s Bar

734.7 Lower Bridges/Engineer’s Bar

Engineer’s Bar is a giant sandbar at low water but quickly disappears as the river rises, and is completely swamped in medium water MG20 with only a few narrow bars clinging to various places along the right bank. Don’t camp here at low water unless you can sleep comfortably through rumbling trains, non-stop interstate traffic and eighteen wheelers flying overhead. No matter which way the wind is blowing you’re going to get noise, caustic aromas and sulfurous carbonaceous outpourings from many nearby sources. Unless it’s dark, continue downstream ten miles and camp on the luxurious sands of the giant Ensley Bar/Dismal Point archipelago. There are actually three bridges all clustered together that from the Lower Bridges of Memphis. Avid Memphis kayaker Joe Royer says he prefers the shape and structure of the Lower Bridges over the more popular M Bridge. When you float under their masses you can’t help up but notice the detailed frame work above and the beautiful stone abutments below. Keep reading below for the history of each bridge. If not interested fast forward to President’s Island.