info on lower caddo river at degray dam put in

[arachel420]

Anyone know if the boat ramp at DeGray dam is open on lower Caddo River? ((In Caddo Valley)) Heard that it was closed 2 weeks ago due to water levels. So any info on that 2 mile stretch would br awesome.

[Jim Krueger]

I can only imagine the ramp and river are just fine now as the rains of recent past are over and the corps has had plenty of time to lower the lake some. During the weekends, you can call Two Rivers Canoe&Tube Rental to make certain, good folks!
As far as the two mile trip, at it's minimum flow, it's always clear, cool, and pleasant with about 8 small rapids along the way. This section is almost uniform in it's width and has nice gravel bars all along it's length to picnic and swim. I usually reserve this section for later in the Summer when most of my upper, free-flowing streams get too low. I hope you enjoy it!
If you should need a shuttle, this is one that's easy for a bicycle, or on the weekends; Sat 8-5 or Sun. 12:30-5, Two Rivers staff can offer shuttles for a small fee.

Best Regards
Jim

[arachel420]

Thanks Jim!

I will call Two Rivers and see what I can get going!

[Jim Krueger]

I have always enjoyed this section, and still do but I would mention, so do many others and, the afternoons on weekends it can get a bit crowded with tubers and not too much unlike the Spring River in atmosphere.

Although this is a short trip in a boat, Marlo and I take lunch and fishing gear many times and stretch it out for about three hours. If you feel more adventuresome sometime, I can recommend 'The Long Trip' Lower Dam to Arkadelphia - 9 miles. If you ever make this trip, 4 miles of Caddo and 5 miles of Ouachita, start early, like 9am, and carry plenty of cold drinks. You can also cut two miles off the long trip by putting in at the outfitters at hwy 67 rather than the lower dam, but other advice still applies.


Jim

[arachel420]

Would you suggest that leg for kayaks?

[Jim Krueger]

Rachel,

Yes, I would suggest this longer section(s) for kayaks or canoes only.
My friend who runs the float service there at Caddo Valley does a big business renting tubes on the two mile section from the lower dam down to his place at Hwy 67, which is just a great distance for tubes but boats only for the longer runs.
If you decide on the longer runs in kayaks, I really suggest the longer Rec. boats rather than a short WW playboat for instance. The Caddo River at minimum flows moves along just nicely for it's whole length down to the Ouachita, but when floaters hit the Ouachita, it's a much larger, wider, and slower float, usually. I personally like this longer trip for it's solitude and scenery but not everyone I have taken on it over the years has enjoyed it maybe as much as I. It just gets a little long on a hot afternoon sometimes, especially if the Ouachita is down somewhat and if we have had a strong South wind in our faces.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.


Best Regards
Jim

[BEubanks]

DeGray is releasing every day at 2:00, so an afternoon trip will get into the high water. And Remmel is still releasing around 10K cfs, so if you do the long trip the Ouachita will be moving along.

There is a slight detour getting to the put it. We had a bit of road/bridge wash out a few weeks ago, and the repair work is not completed. Just follow the detour signs and you can't get lost . . . well most people can't.

They have improved the parking at the put in this year: clear and hauled in some gravel to accommodate summer weekend crowds. Should be a big improvement during peak use.

Byron

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for the update Byron! I can only guess it's the little bridge in the corner before your place? It's kinda had a 'gangster lean' for several years now and I know the rains last month must have stressed every bridge in the county :shock:

Byron makes a good point about the Ouachita, for one, flowing well at present. This could be just right for someone paddling the long trip so they could have that extra push on what is normally a long, slower paddle. Not a problem, and actually a plus for anyone with fairly good basic boat control. However... as he mentioned also, "the generation on the Caddo in the afternoons", take notice and plan any trips down that last two miles of the Caddo to the Ouachita when the Caddo is NOT generating! It's little problem for paddlers normally to negotiate the Caddo but near it's confluence it has historically been a log jam that's easy to negotiate at minimum flow but dangerous during the higher flows of generation or other releases from DeGray.


Best Regards
Jim

[BEubanks]

You guessed right, Jim. Didn't actually take out the bridge but washed out behind the bridge pilings and the road bed collapsed leaving an 8 foot gap across both lanes. Quite a hole in the road. Rumor is that we'll have to wait up into July for complete repair. The detour cuts off before the corner and comes back in just beyond our place.

If y'all need a shuttle during the week, give me a holler. The canoe/tube rental place isn't generally open during the week. Can't guarantee I can help, but my summer schedule is fairly flexible. 870 four o three 7008.

Byron

[arachel420]

We went out there on tuesday and it was so nice! I saw where the bridge went out, sorry that you have to wait till July to get it back. We are heading back up there on 6/29 and hoping for another day of awesome weather.

[BEubanks]

Yes, it's a nice short float with convenient access and shuttle. Get's a little crowded on weekends with tubers. Fat Boy's is a new restaurant just down from the takeout that's a pretty good way to end a trip, too! Same location that used to be Pig Pit Barbecue.

They're working on the bridge now, so maybe it will be repaired soon!