Cossatot River, Arkansas

Always check the Hwy. 246 gage or call (870)387-3141 first.
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Hwy. 246 Gage Level Descriptions

• 6.7+: River is very high, dangerous, and unpredictable; Sandy Bar bridge - high, dangerous; Cossatot Falls - high, dangerous; Hwy. 4 slab - high, dangerous; Experts only; use all precautions; rescue is difficult.

• 5.8 - 6.0: Ed Banks bridge fully covered; Sandy Bar bridge fully covered; Cossatot Falls very high, #1 is pushy, #2-6 are one long rapid, alternate route river right; Hwy 4 slab fully covered, curler wave forms; Experts only, good level for strong raft team with support; use all precautions; rescue is difficult.

• 5.4 - 5.6: Ed Banks bridge fully covered; Sandy Bar bridge covered, can see concrete slab; Cossatot Falls high, over the top, #2-6 are one long rapid, alternate route river right; Hwy 4 slab covered, curler is more pronounced; Experienced boaters only with absolute eddy and ferry skills, good rafting at this level.

• 5.4: Canyon (Esses) has violent holes, waves, and boiling eddies; Boats can easily swamp, portage on river right; Experienced boaters only with strong braces and turns; suitable for rafting.

• 4.9 - 5.3: Ed Banks bridge is barely visible; may float over bridge; Sandy Bar bridge slab can be seen clearly; Cossatot Falls still over the top, marginal o.t.t. @ 4.9; Slightly over Hwy 4 slab, may be air space @ 4.9; Experienced boaters only with strong braces and turns, still suitable for rafting; At 4.9 and up, the FSR #31 bridge to Hwy 246 is Class 2-2+, very pristine, less experienced will enjoy and decked boats will find fun spots; Hwy 246 to Ed Banks bridge will be class 2-3 waves and turns.

• 4.5 - 4.8: Ed Banks bridge is still covered; 3 - 6" air space under Sandy Bar bridge; Cossatot Falls #1-2 regular runs, #4 right, left, or over the top; 0- 4" air space under Hwy 4 slab; Strong intermediates in company of those who know the river.

• 4.4: Ed Banks bridge is covered by 6 - 8" water; 3 - 6" air space under Sandy Bar bridge; Cossatot Falls #3 pedestal rock has 12 -14" visible, run #4 thru right slot; 7 - 8" air space under Hwy 4 slab; Technical for rafts at this level, good for strong tandem canoe teams.

• 4.3: Technical for rafts, especially in Falls. Devil's Hollow Rapid shows rocks that can damage boats; Can go right of island into Cow Creek to bypass. Devil's Hollow Falls is dangerous at this level and will crunch boats; May be portaged on right. FSR #31 to Hwy 246 is getting low but still nice.

• 4.2: Ed Banks bridge is slightly covered; 12 - 16" air space under Sandy Bar bridge; Normal routes in all 6 rapids at the Falls; 15" air space under Hwy 4 slab; Exciting tandem canoe and intermediate kayak run, getting low for rafts.

• 4.0 - 3.8: Traditional normal levels for all rapids. Probably the best all-around level.

• 3.6 - 3.3 and down: Lower river levels; Falls will have more water than rest of river; above Sandy Bar Bridge is low. This can still be a fun run from Ed Banks to Hwy 4. Probably the easiest level for a first timer.

Conversion Table - These figures are based on experience of the old COE Lake Gillham in-flow reports compared to experience of actual Hwy. 246 gage reports since 1989. Caution: There can be a drastic difference in the actual flows between Hwy. 246 and Hwy. 4 at any given moment. These figures are given only as a general reference and should not be relied upon as fact.

*Many thanks to Jim Simmons, ACA Instructor (Arkansas Canoe Club) and Stan Speight, park ranger for CRSPNA, who originated much of the basic information in this document. Additional credit to Randy Stovall for more detailed information.

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Last updated November 3, 1995