South Fabius, Missouri, US
|
|
Hester Wildlife Area to Hwy.61 (9.25 miles)
| Usual Difficulty |
I-II(III) (for normal flows) |
| Length |
9.25 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
3 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
3 fpm |
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
South Fabius River near Taylor, MO
|
|
usgs-05500000 |
140 - 3000 cfs
|
I-II(III) |
00h54m |
97
cfs
(rc= -0.4 ) |
Pools (majority of river) may be paddled, but shoals will be a serious drag (portage). Not really 'whitewater' at these flows. Gauge (620 sq.mi.drainage) is midway down listed reach, so very accurately portrays flows. |
River Description
The South Fabius River is a great class I-II run with some great bluffs and some uncharacteristic
midwestern flora. At one point (in the first 1/3 of the run) there is a beautiful view on
river-right of some large bluffs with huge fir trees and old hardwoods along the top, some with
their branches stretching out over the river for a nice skyward view.
This is runable almost year round, but you'll have to do some walking or dragging through the
riffles at super low flows. I've run this river at normal (low) flows and it's a great class I
float with just a few riffles. We've run this at SUPER high levels as well. (We're talking 9000
cfs -- usual spring flow peaks around 3000 in times of flooding.) The water was super fast but
there weren't any features to play on or even surf through, just lots of boils and debris in the
water. It was pretty funky and I wouldn't do it again, but it was still doable.
Check out the map for your put ins and take outs. You can extend the run to the Mississippi
River, though it is mostly farmland and flatwater past the listed take out at Hwy.61. The South
Fabius joins with the Middle and North Forks at a confluence not too far from where they
discharge into the Mississippi.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2008-03-25 08:35:46
Editors
User Comments
river, the water quality is poor (farm and septic run-off), but there are a surprising amount of
riffles. I would not float this on a lower cfs as there were some spots that we had no choice but
to drag. It was still a good and fun August float and thank-you for bringing it to our attention.