A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks, 3rd, Vol. 3
- Book Review,
by Tom Kennon
Book Description
Though it sports a new name and look, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Ozarks,3rd (formerly Ozark Whitewater) is still the definitive guide to whitewater in the Ozarks. Fifteen years after it was first published, this book continues to bring paddlers the best of Ozark streams: from classics rivers, such as the Buffalo National and Little Missouri to steep creeks like Bryant and Turkey.
From the Back Cover
The ultimate guide to paddling whitewater in the Ozarks, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks (formerly Ozark Whitewater) has guided boaters to the best water in the area for years. Inside, boaters will find expanded and updated information for the classic rivers as well as for the extreme creeks.
Also included is information vital to all paddlers, beginner and expert alike: information on clubs and organizations, state water trails, and national and scenic rivers. Ratings and descriptions include topographic maps, country locations, gauges, difficulty ratings, drop/distances, run times, water quality, and much more.
About the Author
Tom Kennon began paddling in 1974 and wrote his first book in 1978, Arkansas Whitewater Rivers, after gathering information about rivers in Arkansas due to the lack of information about paddling in the area. In 1988 Ozark Whitewater expanded the original book to a more comprehensive description of rivers in the Ozarks. He lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas and is still an active paddler and ACA canoe instructor closely associated with the Arkansas Canoe Club.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
West Cedar Creek drops at a rate of 40 feet per mile in this section and continuous class II and III rapids can characterize it. The paddler is greeted with a good class II drop at the put in. The Creek is constricted on both sides by bedrock, creating a fast flow with good eddies and surfing opportunities. Another good drop is just below the Highway 162 Bridge followed by a rapid that drops through a tight boulder field that requires precision moves at just the right moment. The rapid can be run on the river right or river left chutes. The left chute is more difficult and drops into a hole that can be a boat eater at higher levels. The right chute requires an approach from middle river left to river right in preparation for a quick left then right maneuver to run this rapid successfully. Class II rapids continue non-stop for approximately one quarter mile and then the paddler encounters a class II+ slide ledge that takes the paddler under a large rock shelf with no danger. It is just spectacular! Note the waterfall on the right side of the creek! The creek swings to the left (east) and drops over a four-foot waterfall that should be run on river left. There are several good surfing holes here. The paddler encounters a low water bridge less that a quarter mile from the falls. Pull out on river left and portage to avoid the culverts in the bridge. This is alternate Put-in for this section that can be used to shorten the trip by approximately one mile. The creek continues with sporty class II rapids for a short distance then East Cedar Creek enters on river left as the paddler passes under the old wagon bridge. Just below the confluence of East Cedar Creek the paddler encounters a class II+ run that is very exciting. Not far downstream the creek splits. Take the left channel and prepare for a very tight fast run. One should always be on the lookout for fallen trees! Just downstream, the confluence of Cedar Creek enters on right, as the creek turns left. Eddy out and surf the waves here! Just downstream is a low water ford. River left is the safe route. Hydraulics form from the middle to river right of the low water ford. The creek slows its drop for the next two miles but the current still moves and very little paddling is required.
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