Re: Buffalo River Trip - May '12 by Houston Canoe Club
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:38 pm
Buffalo City is 0.7 miles upstream from the mouth of the Buffalo River. Paddling up to Buffalo City is very challenging if the White River water flow is high as it often is. Water is released from the upstream dam to either drawn down the lake to the desired water level OR to generate power. The power generation schedule is unpredictable. Years ago my husband & I paddled from the mouth of the Buffalo up to Buffalo City. We were young, strong and experienced. It took all our energy to make it to Buffalo City. We then switched to taking out downstream at Shipps Landing or Norfolk.
There is now an alternative take-out at Riley's Station. The Ozark Society (OS) has an annual Buffalo River trip and typically takes out at Riley's Station. My OS source tells me that there is an island across from mouth of Buffalo River. This island has a water channel which cuts across the island. This island water channel is directly across from the Buffalo mouth. The island water channel connects to a second channel. Riley's Station is a short distance down the second channel. Getting to the water channel in the island requires a strong ferry. If you get swept down below the island water channel, the upstream part of the island provides some protection from the White's current and it is possible to either paddle up along side the island or to walk a canoe to the cross channel.
"Stan"
There is now an alternative take-out at Riley's Station. The Ozark Society (OS) has an annual Buffalo River trip and typically takes out at Riley's Station. My OS source tells me that there is an island across from mouth of Buffalo River. This island has a water channel which cuts across the island. This island water channel is directly across from the Buffalo mouth. The island water channel connects to a second channel. Riley's Station is a short distance down the second channel. Getting to the water channel in the island requires a strong ferry. If you get swept down below the island water channel, the upstream part of the island provides some protection from the White's current and it is possible to either paddle up along side the island or to walk a canoe to the cross channel.
"Stan"