Information on Left Hand Prong (N. Fork Illinois Bayou)
Rating: II-IV *
TDCR: ????
Location: Put-in: Take Hwy 16 East from Pelsor appox. 1.5 miles and
take an old logging road to the right (South). Follow the road
as far as possible and drag down the hill the confluence of
the first two forks (Elevation 1500). Reach the take-out at
the Victor bridge over the North Fork of the Illinois Bayou
by taking Victor Road from Hwy 7 near the Freeman Springs
Cemetery.
Topo Quad(s): Sand Gap
Gradient: 140 fpm (300+ fpm max)
Length: 8 mi. (2 mi. on LHP)
Season: FLOOD
Gauge: Gage at Richland Campground should to be above 6 or headed
that way. Look for 1.5" or more rain at the Deer and Ben
Hur rain gages, at the BNR Data Page. Rain must have fallen
within the last 6 to 12 hours.
Hazards: Undercut ledges and rocks, overhanging branches,
strainers, waterfalls.
Description: First known descent was November 1, 1996. By Cowper
Chadbourn, Chris Anderson, Robin Booth, Walter & Gayle
Felton (OC-2), Lane Gorman, Lance Jones, Nate Kline and
Robert Orr. The creek starts out small until joining with
the Right Hand Prong and Cedar Creek. Most drops are tight
continuous class II-III in nature, but a few IVs are
scattered in for good measure. Scenery is very excellent!
Shortly below the put-in is a tight complex slot drop with
some pin potential. About 0.5 miles downstream is a poorly
padded 5-6 ft ledge with a piton rock waiting. A hard
landing is likely even with a good boof. The highlight of
the creek comes shortly when the creek narrows to 3-4 feet
on a shallow bedrock slide. The slide ends in an 8 ft drop
known as "The Spout" into a horseshoe shaped pool. The
Right Hand Prong doubles the flow and some fun shoals and
slides await near the confluence with Cedar Creek. There
is a 4wd road to the right at Boyd Cemetery, if needed.
But fun class II-III water with lots of surfing lasts for
the next 3 miles to the Victor bridge. Like other
micro-volume creeks, meaningful ratings are difficult to
establish on the accepted International scale. At lower
levels, the creek may seem like a very technical class
III, with much rock bashing, scraping, and some portages.
At higher levels, several rapids are expected to become
solid class V. Be familiar with the particular hazards
of small Ozark creeks before attempting this run. Thanks
to Lance Jones for information on this creek!
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