Floating the big muddy mississippi

[MoMuskies]

Nephews and I were wondering if there are any restriction that would prevent one from floating on a canoe or raft from St. Louis down to Cape Girardeau.

Frank

[duckydoty]

Maybe a lock and dam to portage around, but I've heard of people doing it before.

duckydoty

[Kicknbass]

I don't believe that there are any restrictions, but it is big water and there is a lot of barge traffic that create waves that really rock small watercraft. There are no locks below the chain of rocks canal up from st. louis.

Good luck and be safe.

EB.

[Danoinark]

That no doubt is an ambitious float. Like Kicknbass said there are lots of hidden and seen dangers on that big water; barge traffic, floating debris, strong eddy's. If I was doing it I think I would do my paddling close to the shore with plenty of room for escape. Good luck. It sounds like a great adventure.

Dano

[davekeim]

Just death! Check the Missouri water patrol website. Some 60 year old people were doing that. See what happened to them!

Signed,

Cardiac

[Capt E]

Hey Cardiac, is this the report?

That is pretty messed up.

[mcp633]

I've done Jefferson City to St. Louis in a 25 foot pontoon boat several years back. It was a flippin' blast. Four buddies with coolers stocked with beer and meat, a grill, sleeping bags, extra gas and nowhere to be for three days. Good times!

Would I do it in a canoe or raft? No way! I don't even like being on the MO in my Crestliner 18 foot deep V!

[snagged in outlet 3]

First, I believe it's the "Mighty Mississippi" not muddy, and for good reason. Nickname for the Missouri River is The Big Muddy. I grew up hangin around both rivers and still live only a couple miles from them.

Second, if you must endanger people at least do it on the Missouri. I think there are still some outfitters that put people out on the Missouri. No barge traffic on the Missouri. But right now most of the sandbars are covered in water.

If you haven't been on it for at least a short trip maybe you should try that first. Have you seen the barge and boat traffic south of St. Louis?! Be careful my friend.

SIO3

[skeeter]

Sounds like fun but it's not and is a real death wish. No exaggeration.

Do it in a canoe and the tow boat wakes will swamp your canoe, some of them run five-six feet high. Tows get considerably larger below St. Louis and the further South you go the bigger they get.

Do it on a raft and you will be swept under barges, either while they are under-way or rafted up on sandbars or along the banks.

There are no services on that stretch of river. No marinas, nothing. And good luck navigating around Grand Tower while the water is low.

[TexomaOkie]

A buddy and I got caught in the wake of a barge on the Arkansas in a small bomber style bass boat. It's a scary experience. When the boat was at its lowest point between the waves of the wake, you literally couldn't see over the top of the waves on either side. There was a wall of water in both directions. the boat "bobbed" up and over the big waves, but I don't want to do it again.