It's officiall spring (although the weather doesn't yet feel like it) today. Spring is the absolute best time to float the Upper Buffalo River.
While floating any of the segments of the Buffalo River is spectacular, the upper stretch from Ponca to Kyle's Landing is a favorite for many. This section of River has the largest elevation loss on the River (making for faster currents and better rapids -- it's the only section of river classified as "Class II" ratings), many spectacular bluff lines, and several short hikes that can be taken that start right at the river's edge.
The other notable thing about this section of the Buffalo River is that it is not all that commonly floatable. Sometimes in the winter it's floatable. Often in Spring. But by late spring, Summer and Fall, the low river levels make this stretch unfloatable via canoe or kayak.
So how do you know?
For generations now the folks at the Buffalo River have been using the "air space" reading at the Ponca low water bridge. The Ponca low-water bridge was THE bridge crossing the Buffalo River until the 1970s. When the water was high and over the bridge, if people needed to cross the river they'd have to travel all the way around through Boxley and across the mountain road that passes through Mount Shiloh to get to the other side -- about a 20 mile detour. The new highway bridge we use now is a significant upgrade.
Anyway, to get the water level reading, they measure the amount of air-space between the top of the water, and the bottom of the low-water bridge -- measuring the amount of "air space" in inches under the bridge. The less airspace, the deeper the water.
Anything involving zero airspace is TRECHEROUS. If you are an experienced kayaker, and know your limits, do what is fun for you. But for the other 99% of us, it's best to stay off the river.
From zero to about 9' of airspace is pretty fast currents -- and experienced kayakers preferred. 9-21" is ideal for floating. I've done this section at 13" before and it was a really fun trip. At 23-29" it's low, but floatable, which means you'll drag at times over gravel bars but still make it down the river. More than 30" of airspace? You'll be heading out further down river.
The Buffalo Outdoor Center has a great page (and video) detailing the river level readings and during the winter and spring they do a nice job of updating the current river level.
BOC is one of the top outfitters on the upper part of the River -- and are a great outlet for renting your kayak or canoe and arranging transportation to or back to your car.
So get out and float the River and enjoy it. Be careful, be sure to know your limits, and if the air/water temperature are cold, be sure to have proper wetgear to protect you from hypothermia. It's only fun if you're safe.
By the way, as you can tell from the photo above, the Ponca River bridge is a hub for recreation in the area -- with many people coming to hang out, float, fish, and swim in the area around the bridge. In the photo above (taken on March 16), the river level is about 22" or so of airspace -- so pretty good for floating.
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