Lake Eufaula, Deep Fork, Graves Creek, OK
Kayak paddle trail route map launching at the Graves Creek Ramp on US 266 at the north end of Lake Eufaula. The plan was to go up the Deep Fork (of the North Canadian River) and do a loop out to the lake, but Lake Eufaula was down 3 feet from full pool and pretty low. Graves Creek had plenty of water down to the lake, but once there that was it. The Deep Fork itself was anywhere from a few inches to maybe a foot and a half deep, which is pretty hard paddling (the gage at Beggs read 7.9 cfs). The route ended up as an out and back, about 11 miles total, and that was fine. Google satellite images shows lots of log jams in the hairpin turns on the Deep Fork just upstream of the turnaround point, so going further might be tough. Saw snakes, beavers, and alligator gar. Lake Eufaula is pretty big, north to south it spans close to 40 miles.
35.507630,-95.781325
Launch Site Google Maps Link
Above: Graves Creek Boat Ramp off of US 266 west of Checotah, OK.
Above: Graves Creek ran dry a half mile upstream of the launch, but it was fine going down to the lake.
Above: Find the snake.
Above: The boat can go by itself.
Above: A few workarounds were needed on the way upstream.
Above: The turnaround point.
Above: The Deep Fork channel here looks good, but it’s only a foot deep and choppy paddling. Shallow water feels like glue to the boat.