Mercer Bayou, Sulphur River WMA, Texarkana, Arkansas A
Kayak paddle route map in the Mercer Bayou, located within the Sulphur River WMA just south of Texarkana, Arkansas. Many lost rivers, old rivers, side channels which look ok by satellite are enclosed and inaccessible, or dry, or shallow, or only filled periodically. But Mercer Bayou, an old channel of the nearby Sulphur River, is good all year, and is listed as a paddling water trail on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website. Wonderful place, very unique, nobody was there, nobody at the ramp, nobody on the water. This trip, done late summer, means water was low; there is a crude level gage at the launch and the water was about two or three inches below the fourth rung down from the top. But this was perfectly fine for paddling the main channel and some of the side channels, although higher levels would be easier and allow more exploration. Sometimes the big lily pads act as a sudden friction brake on the boat. I was lucky to see a decent sized alligator, maybe 6 foot, but much of the shoreline along the bayou is blocked by vegetation and brush and hard to access, so its not the best place to see gators exposed and sunning themselves. Great paddle, beautiful place, and would be interesting in all four seasons.
Above: The Mercer Bayou Boat Ramp (number 1). This is the main access at the end of 151. The route above goes down to boat ramp number 2. But there was no obvious access from ramp 2 into the main Mercer Bayou channel (other than a portage) so the route goes back the same way. There are two more ramps further south.
Above: Wow!
Above: Side channels were narrow and lined with lilies and lotus.
Above: Pushing through, looks mushy but fine paddling.
Above: On the main channel from the boat ramp to the bayou.
www.SawdustRiver.com 