Information on South Fork Little Red R.
Rating: I-III
TDCR: 3355
Location: Van Buren County;
S1: On Hwy 16 after going through Alread and Rupert, turn left
onto Anchor Rd. just past the Pleasant Grove Church. When Anchor
T's turn right onto Brock Rd., and when Brock splits go right
and then onto Moonlight Rd. 2WD's can park up on the hill and drag
down. 4WD's can continue down the hill on a woods road to a
lower parking area, and then put in on the river at a 4 wheeler
crossing at N35 38.537 W092 44.649, take out is on river left at the
ford below Koown Hollow on FR 1342 at N35 33.193 W092 43.869.
S2: Put in at FR 1342 crossing below Koone Hollow, or at lower
end of Brushy Fork (4wd only), or about a mile downstream on
FR 1307 (Slick Rock Road). This road has recently been improved and
offers better access for all vehicles, take out on river left at
the low water bridge in Gulf Mt. WMA on Cottonwood Rd. at W35 34.275
N092 39.762, which runs north south connecting Lo Gap to
Gulf Mt. Rd. Warning, the large culverts can trap you at the
higher levels.
S3: Take out at the Lo Gap bridge at N35 34.182 W092 37.286 on
river right above the bridge. Landowner permission required,
see description below.
S4: Take out is at Hwy 95 bridge on river right.
Topo Quad(s): ?
Gradient: 12 to 66 fpm (depending on section)
Length: S1: 9 mi.
S2: 7.0 mi.
S3: 3.5 mi.
S4: 5.0 mi.
Season: RAIN
Gauge: The minimum level on the USGS gauge at Clinton is around 7.0 feet
for S1, 6.0 for S2, and 5.5 for S3. A level check can be made at both
the Hwy 95 bridge and at the low water bridge with culverts on
Cottonwood Rd. At Hwy 95, water should be pooling on river
right above the bridge where the woods road enters. At the
low water bridge, 4" of water passing through the culverts
is the necessary minimum for a S3 put in.
Hazards: Downed tree tops, logs, and strainers are likely, one wire
cable across creek in S1.
Description: The South Fork of the Little Red is a very
scenic river loaded with rapids. S1 is very rain
dependent and starts off with lots of rock bumping action
and a 66 fpm gradient. It's low volume at first, with
narrow, technical rapids. The upper run has very few pools,
and is only suitable for boaters with good boat control,
elbow pads, and a sturdy hull. Depending on rainfall, one
rapid may be class III. A logged area about 2 miles down
is a good place to watch for strainers. At around 4
miles, Wilson creek enters from river left and the river
picks up speed. About mile 8, hunters have placed a
wire cable (N 35 33.725 W 092 44.738) across the creek
above Koown Hollow, probably in order to walk across
the river during hunting season. Signs of downed cables
were also present and should be watched for in this area.
The cables we last encountered were about 12" above our heads.
A warning sign has been placed on a tree upstream from the
cable, and the cable has also been painted. S2 at 7 miles
is more pool drop, allowing more enjoyment of the scenery.
Around mile 5, as the river turns left, the Root Wad
rapid, with a snag waiting at the bottom is located at N35
33.877 W 092 41.390 and can be trouble. Two miles later
the low water bridge on Cottonwood Rd. in the WMA is reached.
Take out is on river left at the bridge. Be careful, as the
large culverts can be a trap at the higher levels. S3 flows
through 3.5 miles of nice scenery and ends by passing
first by a low water bridge under a historic wooden
suspension bridge and then under the new CR 9 bridge
at Lo Gap. Permission from the landowner at Bear Hole Hollow
Farm must be obtained prior to using this location as a take
out or put in. Do not drive through the gate onto the
property. Drag your boats in/out instead. S4 offering 5.0
miles, is more nice scenery at a slower pace with some fun
rapids, a set of nice surfing ledges, and a few camps
dotted along the banks. Take out is just above the Hwy 95
bridge on river right. Thanks go to Chester for info.
on this run!
Return to Index