Ozark

Ozark Riverways Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior baring the rocks and gravel underneath. For the first time gravel bars— now regarded as a fixture of an Ozark river—appeared as the rains washed the rock out of the hills. Once the trees were gone the lumbermen moved on but the farmers remained, only slowly surrendering their ties to the land. The forests began to grow back, and the rivers continued to adapt to the changing environment. A series of record floods have struck the area in the last few years, leaving changed channels, new gravel bars, and rootwads as the most recent sign of natural change. Today the National Park Service is here to keep the rivers accessible, to help people come to know their beauty and to become acquainted with the special character of the people of the area, and to let nature continue to take its course. This, then, is Ozark National Scenic Riverways, more than 134 miles of clear, spring-fed streams and superb scenery. Welcome. Official Map and Guide The sunlight sparkles on the flowing waters of the river as it hurries along—now slowing as it enters a quiet, deep pool, now rushing as the banks narrow and the bed becomes shallower. Fish laze in the shaded waters. Overhanging trees line the shoreline creating patterns with their branches in the wintertime and catching breezes with their leaves in the summer. Limestone bluffs rise abruptly above some stretches of the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers; a climb to the top gives a good view over the surrounding countryside. On gravel bars canoeists and boaters bed down for a night's rest after floating the river for a day. It wasn't always so. More than a century ago a mature pine and hardwood forest grew here and the rivers ran quietly and smoothly along their courses. Timbermen joined the subsistence farmers in the area and began to cut the trees, sawing millions of board feet of lumber each year to build the cities of this expanding Nation. Fires took their toll, too. The rains washed topsoil off the hillsides AGPO 1987-181-415/60113 T h e A l l e y S p r i n g mill is a human contribution to this l a n d s c a p e , and it is t h e p r e t t i e r for it. When To Go M o r e than half—64 percent—of the p e o p l e who c o m e here in a year float the two rivers in the summer. Only 2 percent c o m e during the winter months. A n Ozark c r a f t s m a n fashions a paddle Barred owl A t o p t h e bluffs t h e noise of t h e r u s h i n g w a t e r b e c o m e s a distant, e c h o i n g , l o w roar. Floating 64% 17% Spring Summer Fall 42% 18% 40% Sundays A r a i n b o w signals t h e e n d of a n o t h e r t h u n d e r s t o r m , o n e of m a n y e a c h y e a r in t h e O z a r k s . If y o u d i d n ' t k n o w this w a t e r was c o l d , y o u ' d t h i n k it w a s b o i l i n g f r o m t h e looks of it. in t h e river's l e v e l ; set u p a stick at w a t e r s e d g e as a g a u g e . As t h e river starts t o rise, t i m e t h e rate so y o u w i l l k n o w if d a n g e r is i m m i n e n t . T h e J a c k s Fork has risen 14 f e e t in 1)4 h o u r s . Plan an e s c a p e r o u t e to h i g h e r g r o u n d . Don't underestimate the river. N e v e r g o b a c k o n the river d u r i n g high water. Camping Ethics U s e t h e restrooms provided or d i g a c a t h o l e at least 100 feet from any water in s a n d o r e a r t h ; d o n ' t d i g o n e in g r a v e l . U s e o n l y w h i t e t o i l e t paper. Camping Learning to read the water is the key to a good float. In a Class II river, such as the Current and Jacks Fork, the main current is always the best place to be. In straightaways look for smooth glassy water. In bends the reverse is true: t h e r e the smooth water may be too shallow, while the water with riffles and small waves will carry you through. Avoid the outside of the bend where you may run into overhanging obstacles or collections of debris. Float with the water, moving with just enough speed to control your boat; k e e p the keel of the canoe parallel to the current. The t h r e e strokes illustrated at left will get you through By Days of the W e e k in S u m m e r Saturdays Wild turkey Getting Under Way By Season 17% Black-eyed Susans Weekdays " J " stroke E q u i p m e n t You must either wear a lifejacketor have seat c u s h i o n s in your b o a t at all t i m e s . Wear a hat t o p r o t e c t against s u n s t r o k e . A n d w e a r sneakers for m o v i n g y o u r c a n o e over shallow spots. Tie e v e r y t h i n g in except your pets and keep c o n t e n t s of c o o l e r s s e a l e d in plastic bags. Drawstroke Prystroke The Chute A s y o u a p p r o a c h a s e r i e s of o b s t a c l e s , look for a long glassy " V " p o i n t i n g d o w n s t r e a m . This is t h e c h u t e , t h e safest r o u t e through. Swamping If y o u g e t h u n g u p o n a rock or a s u b m e r g e d l o g , lean d o w n s t r e a m . If y o u lean upstream, rushing water will t e n d to roll t h e hull o v e r a n d fill t h e c a n o e . If y o u capsize, stay upstream from the canoe to avoid b e i n g p i n n e d against t h e o b s t r u c t i o n by t h e waterfilled canoe. Reversal Pillow Gravel Bar Camping C a m p i n g o n a g r a v e l bar is o n e of t h e d e l i g h t f u l a s p e c t s of f l o a t i n g . In t h e heat of s u m m e r this will usually b e o n e of t h e c o o l e r places w i t h f e w e r mosquitoes. Set up your t e n t o u t of s i g h t of a n y n e a r b y d w e l l i n g a n d use existing firepits. Always pay a t t e n t i o n t o c h a n g e s Cross Section of Typical River Bend A v o i d t h e D r e a d e d R o o t w a d The u p e n d e d roots and trunks of downed trees present disastrous traps for the unwary. Be alert. Fishing A Missouri fishing license is r e q u i r e d for all fisherm e n b e t w e e n 16 a n d 6 4 years of a g e . L i c e n s e s are a v a i l a b l e at local stores, s p o r t i n g g o o d s suppliers, and canoe rental o u t l e t s . S e a s o n s v a r y for different s p e c i e s , so c h e c k b e f o r e y o u bait y o u r line. If y o u are f l o a t i n g , d o not cross a fishing line. If y o u are f i s h i n g f r o m a p o w e r b o a t , d o not s w a m p canoes with your wake. Respect each other's s o u r c e of e n j o y m e n t . Safety and Regulations • Do not dive or j u m p into the river. This means from the bluffs or fallen trees. Do not swing on vines. • Do not drink the water unless you boil or treat it first. • M a k e sure all fires are out when you leave. T h e park is h o m e t o f i v e poisonous snakes: cottonmouth, copperhead (below), and pygmy, m a s s a s a u g a , a n d t i m b e r rattlesnakes. • Pack out what you bring in. Largemouth Bass M i n i m u m l e n g t h : 12 i n c h e s . Smallmouth Bass M i n i m u m l e n g t h : 12 inches. Trout C h e c k w i t h r a n g e r for r e s t r i c t i o n s ; t r o u t tag r e q u i r e d . G o g g l e - e y e N o minimum length. Exposed rock • Stay out of caves until you check with a park ranger. If you do go in, be sure to have three light sources. • Always wear a life jacket w h e n on the river. It will do you no good if it is in the bottom of the canoe. • M o v e your campsite if flood conditions begin to . develop. N e v e r go back on the river during high *- water; head for higher ground o n foot. Park rangers are here to help you w h e t h e r the situation is an e m e r g e n c y , or you just n e e d an answer to a question. Ozark National Scenic Riverways is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. D e p a r t m e n t of the Interior. If you n e e d more information, write to: Superintendent, P.O. Box 4 9 0 , Van B u r e n , M O 6 3 9 6 5 . Illustrations by Greg Harlin. W a t c h o u t for poison ivy, w h i c h is r a m p a n t in this area. R e m e m b e r t h e adage: "Leaflets three, let it be." Ozark Riverways • Caution! Don't break j-your neck. Before diving ! or jumping always check the water depth. Check for objects below the water surface. Swim only in clear, calm water. I Locally heavy rains cause • For river conditions, rivers and streams to rise weather, emergency, and rapidly. Pick campsites general park information tune to the Traveler's that allow an escape Information Stations route. Park all vehicles (TIS) at 1610 AM when on high ground; lock near Mountain View, valuables in the trunk; Salem, or Van Buren. take your keys with you. > River and spring water may not be suitable for drinking. Boil all water not from approved sources. • Rivers must be clean and I Caves present dangers of litter-free to support life falls, deep water, and and recreation. Bury all other hazards. Take at human waste at least 100 least one dependable feet away from the river. source of light; more are Carry out all garbage. preferred. Tell a friend of your plans and anticipated time of return. Bury all human waste at least 100 feet away from the river and carry out all garbage. Locally heavy rains cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly. Pick campsites that allow an escape route. Diving and jumping from cliffs and trees is dangerous and causes many serious injuries each year. Visitors are warned to check below the surface for submerged objects. Swim only In clear, calm water. Boil all water not from approved sources. Private property exists within the authorized area. Please respect the owners' rights. Twenty-one canoe concessioners located in the Riverways region are permitted to provide canoe rentals and shuttle service. For a complete listing of the concessioners, contact park headquarters. Inner tubes are also available for rent at a number of locations. jampground Family Sites Cluster Sites (16-40 people) Group Sites (40 or more)* Public Telephone Store • Lodging Sanitary Dump ^kers 8i 5 « D ulltite 55 3 • • Round Spring 60 3 • • • fwo Rivers 12 2 • • • 3 owder Mill 10 2 3ig Spring 195 Mley Spring 187 10 20 4 • 3 • • Reservations required; ask for list of group campgrounds outside the park • • • • Meals •__