From American Whitewater
tom kaylor 2003-11-07 14:00:06
This is a very scenic stream, it's hard to catch without a gauge but there is an old bridge support at the takeout and counting the exposed stones or blocks will tell you if it's runnable. 10 1/2 stones is pretty boney and at 8-10 stones is good II+ fun. A good place to take aggressive beginners if they have basic eddy hopping-ferrying skills and have a roll.
Many high rock bluffs, 90 degree turns and mostly class II stuff. Some places are no more than 10' wide and there is one dog leg turn that Tom Kennon rated as a Class III (not compared to class III on the Ocoee though)
Usually only runs in cold weather so have your beginners dress for a swim. It's very remote and walking out may be difficult. Watch for downed trees around the bends. A heron rookery on the left about midway and some huge boulders is good place for a lunch stop.
There is no way to make this run any shorter so be sure all paddlers can handle 11 miles. About 1 mile after the Camp Tahkotah put in is a Girl Scout camp that anyone having problems can get out.
A creek boat, playboat or river runner will be fine. I have seen several canoes dump here in the II+ stuff so if the Spring River tests your limits, think twice about the Salado.
This is actually the closest real whitewater to Memphis (115 miles) You will have to rely on Arkansas Canoe Club members for level info, this creek could really use a gauge!
11/8/03
We ran this early in 2003 with some ACC people, we started with 7 and 3 finished, it was cold and the creek came up about 2' while we were on it. Mark Goldsmith had an epic walk out after several swims, he was OK although we blasted down the river to get him into a warm vehicle. Turned out a kindly Arky had picked him up and they were headed for the takeout, which incidently has heated restrooms. That run reminded me of a minature Nantahala with scenery.
4/30/06
Madapple, Michael Howard, Ted Hoffman and myself ran it at 8 stones. Check the Middle Fork of the Little Red gauge at Judsonia, there is a precipitation gauge on the USGS site-look for 2"-2.5" the preceding day and you may get lucky. At this level the play washes out and trees hang low but it is solid II+ wavetrains. There are huge but flushy holes, no good eddys, no good surfing but hang on and enjoy, oh, and don't forget to duck!
The previous drought has created massive willow jungles with no real good passage. Danger here is moderate but they can flip you and result in temporary pins.
Thinking back, in the 80's we would definitely given this a class III rating at this level.
