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Big Devil's Fork - Hill Cemetery to Richland Creek (2.75+2 miles)
Big Devil's Fork, Arkansas, US |
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Hill Cemetery to Richland Creek (2.75+2 miles)
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV(V) (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.75 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 180 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 220 fpm |
Twin Devil's Falls
Twin Devil's Falls
Photo of Nate Kline by Cowper Chadbourn
Gauge Information
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Creek near Witts Spring, AR | ||||
| usgs-07055875 | 5.00 - 7.00 ft | III-IV(V) | 00h56m | 1.89 ft (too low) |
River Description
Note: The combination of Steep banks and lots of deadfalls tend to clog the creek with wood from time to time, so keep look out. Best option currently is to run Richland Creek and hike up the trail on creek right to the Falls.
This is a very small creek. Putin is barely enough to float a boat, but several tributaries quickly converge. Tight slots, fast slides, waterfalls, undercuts. Highlight is Twin Devil's Falls. Must run the last 2 miles of Richland Creek at high water.
Big Devil's Creek is 2.75 miles to Richland and then 2 miles to the Campground access. Average and maximum gradients are for put-in to the Richland confluence.
Put-in: Head North on NFS Road 1205 from Richland Creek Campground and head up the mountain to Icelado Gap. This will be at the bottom of the first steep downhill encountered. There is an intersection and a house to the South. Follow the road south past the House to Campbell Cemetery. Drag 0.25 miles to the creek.
Take-out: Continuing East on Hwy 16 from Ben Hur for 1.5 miles and turn onto Pope County Road 68 (NFS 1205) and follow to NFS Richland Creek Campground. This road will parallel Falling Water Creek most of the way. This can also be reached by taking Pope County Road 18 (Falling Water Road) farther East off Hwy 16.
This run begins as a creek so tiny that you will think you have made a mistake, but quickly builds in intensity. Lots of ledge drops and slides and several undercuts. The "Sphinkter" is visually impressive. Remember that a deep undercut lurks under the river right wall! Be sure to run the right side of the first 12-ft waterfall (This one is named Don Hamilton Falls in Tim Ernst Arkansas Waterfalls book.) After this, some tight boulder jumbles lead to the entrance to the Twin Falls, the highlight of the trip. Depending on water level, you may either run the Big Devil's side, or access and run the Long Devil's side via a short trail. Be prepared for a "big water" creek run through some of Richland's most difficult rapids after the junction (IV+/V at these levels). All rapids have been run, although the boulder jumble just below the first waterfall is marginal for most water levels.
More info and photos at:
Devil's Fork Creek at Lance's Whitewater Page
Guidebooks
$20.00
DVD is fundraiser for the Arkansas Canoe Club.
Editors
Rapid Summary
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 | The Sphinkter | IV |  |
| 2.2 | Hamilton Falls | IV |  |
| 2.5 | Twin Devil's Falls | IV | |
| 2.8 | Richland Confluence | IV |
Rapid Descriptions
Creek narrows and snakes back and forth to a final 4-foot drop with a severely undercut right bluff wall. There is a cave that goes at least 20-ft back under the bluff.
12+ foot falls with a rock at the bottom on the river left half of the pool. A cluttered rock jumble immediately follows.
Visual impressive spot as Big Devils Fork and Long Devils Fork plunge off twin waterfalls to join in the pool below. Make sure there is enough water to get a launch off the lip as the shelf rock at the bottom extends out to the curtain.
Devil's Fork enters Richland Creek. Be prepared for the meat of Richland with a healthy flow.
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Hill Cemetery to Richland Creek (2.75+2 miles), Big Devil's Fork Arkansas, US (mobile)