Floated Buffalo Grinders- South Maumee/ It was Low!!!! 4/19

[R_Corter]

Had a good trip. Was on the river almost 12 hours. Fished and hunted turkeys. Never heard one bird. Wife and I caught several fish, they set in biting good about 2 hours before dark. We barely got off the river before dark but I did go prepared I took 2 lights cause I knew the river was low and we be moving slow due to fishing hunting. Saw more eagles than we could count. Saw many many tires! Met 2 guys floating, One from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The other from springfield. Saw a group of 6 in kayaks, they looked like retired couples. That was all we saw on the river. Saw a couple at Gilbert who looked like they were living on the river. They were doing laundry in the river. They had a car a tent and clothes everywhere. They med flighted a girl that had broke her leg horseback riding out of Gilbert. Was a great trip but with out rain and lots of it I dont see the river being floated much longer.

[cpresoz]

A group of us floated North Maumee to Buffalo Point on Friday, 04/20 and Buffalo Point to Rush on Saturday, 04/21. Friday was a little nippy but the water was fine. Could have been higher. Saturday was perfect with sun and a little wind but the level was dropping. Slightly dragged with our kayaks but didn't have to get out, but without any more rain the shallow spots aren't floatable now.
I can't recommend either section highly enough, especially the bluffs along Buffalo Point to Rush. Saw herons and eagles like R_Corter did. Water was extremely clear. Saw a couple of tires underwater. Buffalo Point campground with their showers are great and the shuttles were short and easy.

[kru1]

Floated Mt Hersey to Tyler Bend 4/19 - 4/21. Didn't see any people until 4/21 (Sat). 2 bald eagles, and countless ducks and song birds. Didn't have any issues with the shoals. Only one we had drag was the Pour-off near Jamison Bluff. Although that makes sense as the stream is loosing right there.

kru

[Cowper]

Saw many many tires!

THANKS!

I think you just gave me an excuse to head up that way sometime soon. Talking to rangers and others, I've become fascinated with the ability of the Buffalo to produce more tires each year, in spite of more than 30 years of organized clean-ups. I'm told they think most know it is not OK to throw tires in the river any more, but too many people still think it is OK to dispose of tires by throwing them into a ravine on their own property or smaller side streams, and then floods move the tires down to the main river.

Just another example - to protect a river, we must think in terms of the whole watershed, and not just the river and immediate bank area.

[prophet]

have found a couple of trash stashes up there where i guess trash was piled above the hoped for high water mark vs hauling to an access point. not sure of the vintage but they looked "old".

i'm sure ever changing gravel bars brings up more treasures too

[kru1]

Yeah, I left a few treasures buried in the gravel bar

[Chicago Bob]

Floated Buffalo Point to White River 4/23 -4/25 the level was low but made the trip with loaded canoes with little scraping. saw more eagles than I would have expected. The first night was cold but the weather warmed over the next 2 days, Great trip.