Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

There are no wrong answers--just want everyone's opinion on what's the absolutely most fantastic level for you on Richland, and please tell why you like that level as opposed to higher or lower.

The bigger the better. 6+ would be ideal

Whatever level it is when I get on it next.

About two feet over the put in bridge is my favorite level, I think thats like nine or ten feet, but you better bring you "A" game!!

Levels at the putin:18-21 inches-Because I'm able to get on the creek.12-18inches-the boofs start working(especially USU)6-12 inches-everything opens up, alternative routes develop, fluffier. Above 6 inches-options of all kinds, including rafts.Over the bridge-tributary time. dale

I really like 6' and a huck down twin devils. Usually if Richland is higher there are several other options that I want to get on.

4'+ is also a very desirable level and my cutoff is about 3.5'

First time...not sure what the level was...Second was ~3.5 which was good since I had no swims and only one roll. The last was somewhere between 4.3 and 4.6??...which was a great level but Green Rock and LSU we both skipped. Only been on it three times but all were great fun! We should have ran everything last time but we just weren't feeling it after everyone swam at least once before the significant rapids! Would like to try the Devils falls though USU and Cindy's hole were both much easier at around 4 1/2 - just pour overs at that level with no boof at USU. We did the upper the next day after the guys did Falling Water @ about 6.9-7.0ft a couple weeks back and that lost the paddle and cracked a boat...I wouldn't have gotten on either creek at those levels...a little out of my league at the moment but I hope to join some of you guys to run the Devil's falls!

My favorite level is in the range between 3.5 and 4.5 on the takeout gauge. This range of flow covers up most of the bones that can mess with lines. At this level there are numerous well defined lines at most of the drops. At this level the water quality also tends to be more clear - post epic rise from previous night/day.

At the bigger drops you can use this level to hone your skill, make small eddies, make harder ferries above rocks, surf small spots above something with consequence for error, work on attainment moves, and play yourself out. And if you botch something and end up with a swim at this level you can recovery everything much quicker and easier.

Its at this level you can work to improve and perfect all those little skills you need to make ones self a well rounded and capable boater.

Good topic!

Cowper ought to weigh in here given how many times in a day he has run it, but he was going so fast he may not have known exactly what the water level was at the start and end of each run.

I've never run it or run the shuttle for it yet, but I am looking forward to it someday, after I have rotator cuff surgery this summer, so next year at the earliest for me.

Eric Esche

0-6" at the put in makes for some good durn fun. Pretty much for the reasons Dale said.