Recent Rainfall Provides Opportunity for Fall Floating in the Ozarks

By Jill M. Rohrbach, Ark. Dept. of Parks and Tourism

First posted on 09-25-2009

Recent rainfall is providing a unique opportunity in the Ozarks region of Arkansas – fall floating.

Water levels high enough for canoeing or kayaking in the fall are rare. But, accumulations of over seven inches of rain in the Ozarks during the last week make this weekend prime for canoeing streams such as the Buffalo, Kings and Mulberry rivers.

“All of the rivers will be floatable right here in the middle of football season, which is highly unusual,” said Mike Mills, owner of Buffalo Outdoor Center, a canoe outfitter located in Ponca. “There’s enough saturation in the ground that it’s going to go down slow enough that for the next four or five days, at least, there’s going to be excellent floating in the Ozarks. That includes Ponca to Kyle’s on the Buffalo, which is the prettiest stretch of river in mid-America.”

Mills added that the water temperature is still fairly warm. “It’s not hot, but it’s no different than it would be in late spring,” he explained. Tips for floating in the fall are the same as anytime of year - wear shoes you can get wet. And if you are an inexperienced canoeist, take an extra set of clothes. Fleece is particularly good because even when wet it keeps a person warm.

“You do have to be aware it gets dark a little sooner,” Mills said. “So you want to get on the river mid to late morning at the latest.”

Because fall floating on streams such as the upper Buffalo doesn’t happen very often, Mills recommends people call a canoe outfitter before showing up. Some outfitters have already shut down for the season.

Anyone canoeing the upper Buffalo right now may also experience the treat of hearing elk bugling. Arkansas’s only elk herd of about 450 range along the Buffalo River corridor. During mating season, which will last the next two to three weeks, elk can be heard bugling.

“It is one of the most unique sounds in nature to hear a mature bull elk whistle or scream. Bugle is what they call it.” Mills said. “In the Boxley Valley elk are out there daily at this point. They are absolutely awesome to watch.”