Can you drink from the Buffalo?

[Tex]

Do I have to haul my drinking water on the Buffalo, or can I use sterilizing tabs?

Thanks!

[Owl]

I use a filter but tablets or boiling are fine, too.

[KimL]

Two locations on the Buffalo have had problems with release of raw sewage in the past five years: Jasper (overflow pipe that was left open) and Dogpatch. That's why I bring water on the Buffalo.

[GutIt]

Never used tabs, Tex. I understand that some think it leaves a residual taste. They work but they take time.

I wouldn't trust boiling. Probably be good but boiling doesn't get rid of the true nasties.

I carry H2o but I also paddle an open boat on the flats with plenty of hauling space for water rather than a kayak, which hauling a lot of water might be troublesome. You will never catch me without a good filter in my kit. Quick, easy, not too much residual flavoring (in fact none that I can taste), you don't run out of tabs or use excessive burner fuel and then have to let it cool, and good clean, reliable potable H2o is available at anytime instantly. Very trustworthy and I have used them for years with never any ill effects. Boating and walkabouts as well! One H2O bttl and the filter is all I have needed for anywhere ground water is available if I don't feel like hauling or can't when walking. They are a great investment.

If you are boating when it is muddy, dip ground/river water in a bucket or cook pan when you stop and let it settle for a couple of hours. Just remember to consider that cook pan contaminated if you use it for that purpose. I also carry an Alum/water solution if I think my water source will have a lot of sediment. Add it to the bucket and this solution will help it settle. Decant it off the top and filter. Good to swill!

And good topic to bring up, Tex! Thanks for reminding everyone to never drink water straight off the ground.

[JB2012]

I carry drinking water, but when camping, I make my coffee, beans and rice, etc. from the river.

Back in 1980 when I first moved to AR, I drank from springs and from water flowing into the Buffalo without treatment. I would not do that nowadays. My immune system might be a help, too, since I was raised with well water and have used spring water in a couple places I lived. Just my two cents.

[jermdog]

You can do whatever you set your mind to.

[RomanLA]

I typically filter moving water and carry some katadyn micropur mp-1 tablets to use on more questionable water. My only experience in Arkansas is with the Little Mo though.

[Jim Krueger]

I drank from several springs and freshetts along athe Caddo years ago without ill-effects. However the filters several have described seem to be a small cost to pay for no intestinal problems, that none of us ever wishes for. On the other hand,I also hardily agree with JB about folks who are conditioned to spring or well water! I had only spring water on the farm for thirty five years and always had a gut feeling, no pun intended, that besides enjoying the absence of odor & taste of chlorine it was good. I still believe when we try and lead too A-Septic a life, we leave ourselves more open to infection, allergies, and upset. .02worth


Jim Moose

[GutIt]

Back in late 70's and early 80's I never carried water or any filtration system.

This was specifically on the Buffalo shed which included Indian Creek and many falls I hiked into. Even found it funny because we tossed in a pack of Kool Aid just upstream of where we filled our bottles up!

Well water is a much different thing than ground water. Not sure I would even do "fresh" spring water these days. Just too much sewage pouring into the creeks, WAY to much little land mines, gravel bar urinals and livestock.

Get yourself a nice, fun case of Giardia or Dysentery and come back here and post your results.

I, personally, have survived a happy case of the former! I'll spare us all the details!

I filter my Kool Aid these days!

[ouachita hiker]

I also have drank water from a stream without any ill effects. Mostly back in the 70's
and that was in a wilderness area. Back in Dec. I did it again, extremely tired from a
long hike, this was on Katy Creek in the Caney Creek Wilderness area. No ill effects but
I don't plan on doing it again.

I use a MSR SweetWater filter. Like it a lot. Bought it back when it was owned by Cascade
Systems before MSR bought them out. Still works fine. One thing you might consider is
building a gravity fed water filter system. I am thinking along these lines.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/show ... stcount=19

The main item is the Katadyn Hiker Pro filter:

http://www.rei.com/product/724044

Hope this helps someone...

[coldspring]

I usually filter water from springs and side creeks, using river water as a last resort. I've seen too many human "things" floating in rivers in my days.

[Stan]

As a clinical microbiologist (AKA “Germ Farmer”), I am very much aware of the misery microbes can cause. On the Buffalo River, I personally carry “city” drinking water. On extended trips, I have refilled my water jugs at Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point. I use old bleach bottles. They are tough and can tolerate a fair amount of abuse. Plus I can move the one gal jugs around in my canoe to keep things balanced. Bleach contains chlorine and small amounts of it can be used to treat water.

The Centers for Disease Control has some good information about treating water so that it is safe to drink.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinkin ... tment.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/wat ... tment.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


“Stan” (AKA Margaret Bartelt)

[Richard]

Stan makes some excellent points. I have several 1L bottles that I fill with city water. If I lose one, I still have others and like she said, when you use multiple water containers you can move them around to adjust your trim.

On the Ponca to Norfork trip in April, we had a filter to keep bottles topped off. These pictures were taken at Jamison Creek on the Buffalo below Woolum. Filtering water from Richards Spring.
[attachment=1]IMG_2677.JPG[/attachment][attachment=2]IMG_2683.JPG[/attachment]

Also, the reason to pump water from springs is not to reduce the micro-critter problem but to slow the clogging of the filter. No matter how clear and clean the water looks it is no guarantee it is free of micro-critters. Just before turning around and taking the picture of Robert pumping water I took this picture. I think it was a possum but not sure.[attachment=0]IMG_2682.JPG[/attachment]

On the Buffalo you have multiple places to get city water. Steel Creek CG, Kyles CG, Erbie CG, Ozark CG, Pruitt Day Use, Carver CG, Tyler Bend CG, Gilbert, Hwy 14, Buffalo Pt. and Rush all have city water.