RAIN DANCING FOLKS

[Monsoon]

To all the rain dancers.....Rain dance a jig that will bring some Gustov rain this a way and fill me up a creek.

[BoofTejas]

Where's the good creekin around here? All my boating's been in the NC area.

[Monsoon]

Lee Creek, Frog Bayou, Cossatot, Mulberry, Little Mulberry, Sugar, Big Piney.....and many others. Go grab you a book at Lewis and Clark about all the rivers in AR. Great reference.

[BoofTejas]

Might have to look for that one online. I go to school in LA, but when I'm home I'd like to run anything that's running in Ark. I'd love some good steep creekin where I didn't have to drive 9hrs

[Monsoon]

I hear ya. I think Central AR has more steep cricks than further north. I am by no means a master of steep yet, but I am sure looking for some practice. Cadron and Richland I think are pretty steep. Most of the people on here will point you in the right direction. That book I mentioned is worth its weight in gold. If you can't find it online on Amazon, then I can pick one up for you and send it down there.

[BoofTejas]

I'll have to look for that. I have Leland's NC book, but I don't have that one. Do you know of anyone that would be down for the cossatot sometime this week? Any creeking would be sweet too. I don't have my creek boat w/ me, but as long as it's not class V I'd feel really comfortable.

[Monsoon]

Call Lewis and Clark in Little Rock. The will ship you one. I can't find it on amazon. it's like $20 or so. Cossatot may have a class IV -V in there. But at the level it is I doubt V will be there. I have never done the Tot, but i really really want to. I am a new open boater and also looking for a play boat or river runner so i can hit it. I only go on the weekends. work gets in the way during the week. I bet there are a few people who go during the week.

[BoofTejas]

Thanks man. I'll have to do that. I've run the Little Mo, and I'm thinking about doing that wed. even if I have to solo it, but I've never really seen the tot with water in it so I'd like to atleast go with someone. Any idea on the gradient of the Cadron?

[Monsoon]

No prob......
30 av/37 max fpm (CR 31 to SH 46)
24 av/30 max fpm (SH 246 to Banks)
20 av/120 max fpm (Banks to SH 4)

http://www.southwestpaddler.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Is another good site to look at.

[Monsoon]

ooops that was for tot. Southwest paddler will have it for cadron too.

[JTarver]

Hi Boof, welcome to the ACC board. On the middle right hand page of the main website..you will see a link for the Ozark creek pages summary. That will tell you all about the rivers and creeks we have here..what to expect before getting on them..and which ones are currently running, along with a guage for alot of them. Fish ( Bill Herring ) sets this up for us..and it's an incredible source and super duper convenient.
Far as steep creeks, we have quite a few here..but they are all rain dependant. I don't know how close you are to everything..central ark. or what...but the Tot is alot of fun..and usually from class 2-4. The washing machine being the 4. However, at really high levels..it all blends into one big V basically. Closer to little rock area you have Cadon..II+ depending on the level..its more a play run than anything else. We always have a great time out there...its about 45 minutes from little rock.
Steeper areas near LR would be Norrel spillway...something like 300 feet per mile..someone correct me if I am off there. The run is about a quarter mile..and you can do multiple trips walking back up to the put in. There are a couple other spillways in hot springs area..but I know less about them. Ray Skinner is the guy to ask about that area. I know he and a few others have done the spillways quite a bit. IV to IV+ from what I understand them to be.
Hot springs area has a couple gems..Hot springs creek and Gulpha ( mill ? ) creek. Both have II+ to III drops depending on water level.
This is a quick summary only, and doesn't even delve into all that we have here. It should get you started though.
We have some great outfitters...two of my favorits being Quachita outdoor outfitters ( triple O ) in hot springs, and Ozark outdoors in Little rock. Both will have Tom Kennons books and other resources..more than likely in stock. Along with a great selection of gear, and service to match.

Hope this helps,
Joe

[JTarver]

Hi Boof, welcome to the ACC board. On the middle right hand page of the main website..you will see a link for the Ozark creek pages summary. That will tell you all about the rivers and creeks we have here..what to expect before getting on them..and which ones are currently running, along with a guage for alot of them. Fish ( Bill Herring ) sets this up for us..and it's an incredible source and super duper convenient.
Far as steep creeks, we have quite a few here..but they are all rain dependant. I don't know how close you are to everything..central ark. or what...but the Tot is alot of fun..and usually from class 2-4. The washing machine being the 4. However, at really high levels..it all blends into one big V basically. Closer to little rock area you have Cadon..II+ depending on the level..its more a play run than anything else. We always have a great time out there...its about 45 minutes from little rock.
Steeper areas near LR would be Norrel spillway...something like 300 feet per mile..someone correct me if I am off there. The run is about a quarter mile..and you can do multiple trips walking back up to the put in. There are a couple other spillways in hot springs area..but I know less about them. Ray Skinner is the guy to ask about that area. I know he and a few others have done the spillways quite a bit. IV to IV+ from what I understand them to be.
Hot springs area has a couple gems..Hot springs creek and Gulpha ( mill ? ) creek. Both have II+ to III drops depending on water level.
This is a quick summary only, and doesn't even delve into all that we have here. It should get you started though.
We have some great outfitters...two of my favorits being Quachita outdoor outfitters ( triple O ) in hot springs, and Ozark outdoors in Little rock. Both will have Tom Kennons books and other resources..more than likely in stock. Along with a great selection of gear, and service to match.

Hope this helps,
Joe

[Monsoon]

Thanks RAIN DANCERS!!!!!

[Cowper]

Where's the good creekin around here? All my boating's been in the NC area.

On another thread, you said: "but I've run the Upper Gauley, Green Narrows, and Section IV so I shouldn't be a liability..."

Based on that, assuming you ran these things with no major problems, I think you're really looking for our local "steep creeks". In general, the printed materials and books will cover only "major" streams and rivers, while you have to research the internet sources for the steep little "runs during/right after a rain" stuff. For that, the Ozark Whitewater pages that Joe already talked about, and the AWA river page, are your best resources.

[Fish]

Tom Kennon's great guidebook is available on Amazon for a steal ($12.71): http://www.amazon.com/Canoeing-Kayaking ... 699&sr=8-4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another good resource is the Ozark Whitewater Page: http://www.ozarkpages.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Most of the steeper creeks (60+ fpm and small streambeds) in AR are in the Northwest part of the state, but thee are a few good ones elsewhere, including Crooked Cr. (IV) in SW AR, Possum Walk Cr. (V) in NE AR, and Clear Cr. (IV+) in SE Oklahoma. In NW AR, some of the classics are Richland Cr. (III-IV), EFLB (III-IV), Bobtail (IV+), Osage (III-IV), Spirits Cr. (III), and Little Mill Cr. (III+). Of course, there are a bunch more in NW AR, and I've left out the class V runs, but I assume you'll find those if you want them. :)

- Fish