Cadron Temperatures

[ConwayKayak]

I just got a kayak for Christmas and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what temps Cadron Creek is usually at during different times of the year? Just trying to decide when it will be warm enough for me to try out my new Kayak. Specifically the last section of the Cadron starting at the old Morrilton Highway.

Thank you,

[Deuce]

Welcome and congrats on the new boat. I had hoped someone with more knowledge of the Cadron's temp range would respond, but the truth is that's a really tough question to answer becasue "warm enough" depends on a bunch of factors that can vary widely; your skills (which will impact how likely you are to swim), what you have in mind with regard to trying out your new boat (down river run or just paddling around in a pool), how long you're likely to be in the water in the event of a swim, what you're wearing and whether you have dry spares, whether you have help along in case you need it, etc. Water and air temps really aren't as important as being prepared for both. If you want to pursue paddling I encourage you to focus on that rather than just water temps although they do of course matter.

That said, you can probably get a better (more specific) answer on the ACC Facebook page. Unfortunately the MB just doesn't get the traffic it used to. Enjoy the new kayak and hopefully we'll see you on the water!

[Cowper]

The USGS gauge on Cadron Creek doesn't include a temperature reading, but looking at two other Central Arkansas creeks that do, I see temperatures ranging from 40 degrees up to 50 degrees in just the last few days. If you want a rough average on any given day, add the nightime low to yesterday's daytime high, then divide by two.

I'm not 100% sure I understand where you intend to float, but I think you're saying you want to put in at Hwy 64. Most of the club folks are more familiar with upper reaches of Cadron. Relative to putting in at 64, if you go downstream, you only get about 2.5 miles before you hit the Arkansas. I'd recommend against going out on the Arkansas until levels drop considerably. Going upstream, you could paddle as far as the Shaw Bridge, although that's probably further than you would want to go by human-powered craft if you had to turn around and go back to your starting point. You could also paddle upstream from the Shaw Bridge. There is a decent float from Mallet Town road down to the Springfield Bridge, if you don't mind some difficult access dragging up and down the rip-rap under the bridges. There are a few places with some swift water in this section, much better/safer to do it with others vs. alone. I strongly recommend AGAINST trying to float from the Springfield Bridge down to the Shaw Bridge, unless you are completely OK with dragging around multiple log jams, including one that will require about a 150 foot drag with no good path.

If your basic plan is to paddle some flatwater, starting near Hwy 64 and then returning to your starting point, then just look for a day with sunshine and a predicted high of 50 or greater, and you should be fine. Wear your PFD; even if you're 99.9% sure you won't turn over, there is just no good reason to bet your life you can still swim well in heavier winter clothing.

[ConwayKayak]

Thanks for the replies. Me and some friends like to put in at Hwy 64 and take out at Cadrom Settlement. We go slow and stop to hang out on some of the islands. Granted we were in an old clunky canoe. Now we have kayaks so we will be looking for other places I am sure. I definitely won't go until the water levels are down.

I didn't think a drysuit was in my budget but I see some great deals on this forum. Before I ever got a kayak I pledged to my family I would always wear a pfd. I have three boys all under 6 and I am not going to be stupid, they need their dad. I am happy about the pfd I got. It was on clearance at Bass Pro and I bought it with some credits I forgot about. So it felt like I got an $80.00 high backed paddling pfd for free.