Condition of Caddo

[justanovice]

Has anyone been on the Caddo since all of the storms? I was just wondering if there are trees down. I'm wanting to take the kids but as always my primary concern is their safety.
sandy

[Jim Krueger]

Sandy,

We floated the Caddo on Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend and all was fine. Since then we haven't been back but will soon, and will give a report. The Caddo does get trees down in the river all the time, and you should always expect that, but don't let that put you off, just look for them and scout ahead. Many times you can scoot by them, or portage when needed. It is mainly a problem when folks less experienced than you don't recognize which ones they can safely pass, and which ones might be better carried around.

Best Regards
Jim

[justanovice]

Thanks Jim,
With the levels quickly dropping, Luke, Holly, myself and kids are planning to float the Caddo tomorrow (Wednesday) somewhere around 11:00. If you (or others) would like to join, we would love the company.
Sandy

[Jim Krueger]

Sandy,

Thanks for the invitation, however it will probably be Saturday when we can next head that way. Do post a report on what you find tree-wise. We have floated the Narrows to Glenwood section several times this year and it is as open, free of trees, as I've seen it over the years. There is one spot though that you will want to watch; when you get all the way down to Markham Mountain, there was a bushy tree top sticking out on river left, it only sticks out less than half of the stream width, but the current is heading right for it. Easy to ferry away from it, or eddy out.
Have fun!

Best Regards
Jim

[justanovice]

Here's the trip report requested. Luke, Holly, Luke's dad (Don), Cindy (from rec school), myself and two kids had an absolutely beautiful day on the Caddo. We stopped at OOO on our way out, and it's a good thing because as soon as we reached the river, black thunder clouds rolled in. Had we not stopped at OOO, the storms would have come while we were floating. We just sat in our vehicles as the storm passed. The float was simply gorgeous, a true reminder of why I started kayaking in the first place. There was one river-right curve that looked ominous with two boulders and two small strainers. We scouted it first. Luke, Don, and Cindy ran it while the rest of us were at the ready with throw ropes just in case. They did fine. I just didn't feel confident enough to maneuver that accurately especially with swift flow. Noah had one place where he almost tipped but recovered it quickly. I had a couple places where I got "squirly" and sideways. At that level, it was perfect for making me work on my less-than-perfect maneuvering skills.There's nothing better than a beautiful day with good friends (old and new) and good weather on a gorgeous stretch of God's country. Well, I guess there's one thing better...I don't even have any swims to confess this time.
Sandy

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for your report Sandy, I'm glad you had a nice time! If the water will hang in there in the 6 foot range for Saturday, I'll probably be back out there.

Best Regards
Jim

[cbarry]

Jim, are you going on Sat? I sure would like to get in on it. I'm on my way to buy a remix xp10 and would love to break it in on Sat at the Caddo. Hope you remember me from Rec school. I camped next to you and Marlo. Hope to see you Sat. Cindy

[Jim Krueger]

Cindy,


It's a pretty sure bet, lets plan to meet on the downstream side of the Glenwood bridge about 10:45 on Saturday. Best Regards
Jim&Miss Marlo

[Chicago Bob]

I just got home from a Caddo trip. I put in by the suspension foot bridge in the town of Caddo Gap. The road bridge directly below the put-in was mostly blocked with wood. The single opening on river right was shallow with most of the water going into strainer. The new main channel at the 240 bridge river left is also severely obstructed. Best to stay river right. The problem with both these is that as water levels drop the passable channel will become too shallow for passage. Hopefully one of the outfitters will clear the 240 obstruction. Outfitters don't use the river upstream much, so who knows. BOB

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for the report Bob!
Both of those bridges are bad to collect wood. So far this year we haven't put in at "the Swinging Bridge" due to the river being lower than we like it for that put-in. The 240 bridge has been clear up until now, so we will take care with it. I appreciate the heads-up!

Jim

[cbarry]

See ya'll at 10:45. Cindy

[Jim Krueger]

After floating the Caddo today from the Narrows to Glenwood, there are indeed some changes to the river as a result of last weekends flood. First, there is some amount of wood in the river that wasn't there two weeks ago, however not much, and none of it is of any major consequence. The most major change in the river is a very marked filling-in of many of the rapids with gravel! Along with this, the gauge readings we have been relying on must now be adjusted for the best float. Six feet on the gauge was a good level two weeks ago, but it will now require at least a reading of six and a half feet or so to have the same clearance as previously.

Best Regards
Jim

[stealthycat]

my wife, 2 kids and myself floated yesterday (in kayaks) from Caddo Gap to Glenwood (bridge) ..... nice float, a couple of shallow shoals, one tight chute with a tree in it .... kids loved it I think, saw quite a few little turtles, a few other people in kayaks/tubes, clean water ... nice float ( 1st time there )


we ate at the Italian place there in Glenwood ( Little Italy?) ... good food

[AR-Nimrod]

Glad you enjoyed it. Won't be long unless we get rain and the Caddo will be thru for the year. Another good place to eat in Glenwood is El Diamante. But most everyone we paddle with agrees that the Rocky Mountain Grill in Pearcy (about 15 miles toward H.S.) is the place to eat.