Little Missouri

Many natural Class II rapids created by bedrock outcrops and boulders occur along this section of the river. There are also man-made rapids formed by riprap weirs. The weirs are not dangerous to paddlers; their backslopes are very gentle and do not create hydraulics that will trap paddlers or swimmers. They add some gentle surfing opportunities and a slide-like experience. There are four weirs between the dam and the 'Low Water Bridge' take-out. The local name of 'Low Water Bridge' baffles new users of the river since the low water bridge was replaced by a high bridge decades ago. The area is still referred to as the 'Low Water Bridge' by locals and by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in its published reports.  The bridge is located about a mile and a half west of Murfreesboro on West 13th Street, adjacent to the Murfreesboro water treatment plant.  It should be noted that, while the river is not difficult, the current is swift over long stretches.  If you become separated from your gear, you will probably need the help of other paddlers to round it up for you or you will risk losing it.  The banks are vegetated to the water’s edge with brush and branches overhanging the water in most places; that makes getting onto the bank difficult or impossible in many places.  There are no gravel bars.  That’s life with fixed flow rates below dams.

The river has the most natural feel when only one generator (8 Mw) is running; that is, many rocks remain partially exposed, offering lots of eddies and gentle surfing at many places. The current is swift, calling for good boat control to avoid obstacles. The water can be cold even in the summer months. When two or three generators run (16 Mw or 24 Mw), the river becomes bank full, very swift in places, and increases the ability needed to avoid obstacles. Some surfing spots are best after the release achieves full flow; others are great as the water is rising and then wash out. It is easy to keep up with the leading edg

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