Caddo
Norman to Amity (29 miles)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 29.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 8 fpm |
| Gauge | Caddo River Near Caddo Gap, Ar |
| Flow Rate as of 16 minutes | 61 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 22, 2009 |
River Description
There are many places to access the river between Norman and Glenwood as Hwy 8/27 parallels the river.
River is typically floated in sections, with the most popular being:
Norman to Caddo Gap - 7 to 8 miles
Caddo Gap to Glenwood - 7 to 8 miles
Glenwood to Amity(Hwy 182) - 8.5 miles
Amity(Hwy 182)to Amity(Hwy 84) - 5 miles
Spring fed river and is often floatable at low levels year-round although some dragging may occur in shallow shoals.
If ample water is available, check out the sections above Norman and on the South Fork.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaddled 4.5 miles @150cfs (5.7ft) boney and difficult to navigate but possible (caddo gap towards Glenwood). Following day was halfway point from caddo gap to Glenwood stretch all the way to Amity recreation area on degray (22mi) at 500-600cfs (6.7ft). Flow was swift, fun class 2 and even 3 wave train action. At ~4mi from Amity recreation was a massive hole River middle without much passage on either side. It is safe to run at these levels but canoes without airbags won't make it. Think some more seasoned paddlers need to re rate this run at flows above 500cfs, there was some good WW to this river.
Paddled halfway from caddo gap to Glenwood at 5.7 ft (~150cfs). Boney and hard to navigate but there was passage for canoes. Day two was ~4miles to Glenwood then an additional 19 miles to Amity recreation area on degray headwaters. 500-600cfs (6.7ft). Avg speed of 3-4mph and peaks of 8mph. Swift water almost all the way down. Drops were frequent, and many wave trains were class 2-2+. At ~15 miles past Glenwood the river drops slight right. Middle channel is a class 3 hole with a comparable wave train immediately after. Passage on either side of the hole is minimal but it is safe to run (smiley face hole). However, canoes without airbags won't make the run no matter how well you hit the line (at this level). I think someone more seasoned than I should re rate this stretch at these levels. Good WW fun for beginners to intermediate paddlers but it can be difficult to recover in some of the channels.
Not a whole lot of whitewater at most lower levels; but that's not what this river is all about anyway. Lots of people having a good time, and some really nice scenery. A great river to relax, laugh, and have a little fun.