2023 Pulltite to Round Spring Gravel Bar Survey

SURVEY DETAILS:

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I have been wanting to document all of the gravel bars on the river for some time. I know that these will change with time and I will update changes every 2 to 3 years. This is the 3rd section that I surveyed and it was done in July 2023 (Pulltite Spring to Round Spring - 9 miles). On the normal 4-5 hour float it took me 8+ hours to document them all. I found 32 gravel bars along this stretch and I ranked them 1-10, with 10 being the best end of the scale. The bars are labeled by two sets of numbers and 2 letters. The first number set is the year surveyed and the second number set is the order at which they come while going down river. The 2 letters on the end of the 2nd number set is the location (i.e. PR means Pulltite to Round Spring, AR means Akers to Pulltite, CA means Cedar Grove to Akers). Some higher ranked bars will be given a name that I will denote, since I feel they are worthy of more than just a number, but also a name too. I do not list any bars that are less than 10' wide, since I don't feel they are worthy for any extended stay. Also, the composition of the bars can vary from gravel, rock (which is larger), sand, dirt or grass. The one that I put first in order is the main content, and lesser will be after (i.e. Rock/Gravel/Sand vs. Sand/Gravel/Rock). All of my stop times have been taken out of the below data, so what I state floating minutes that denotes how many minutes on the average the bar is located if you were to drift/paddle without any stops from the put in point. On this trip I drifted about 70% of the time and paddled about 30% of the time. I know the rivers will change every year, so I will update this data accordingly every 2 to 3 years. This stretch is a 9 mile float and you will average 2.5 miles per hour + stops in a canoe. Kayaks a bit faster and rafts a bit slower. The best outitter for this 9 mile stretch is Carrs Canoe Rental at Round Spring. If you are going to Two Rivers, then Two Rivers Canoe Rental. Always try to leave your vehicle at your take out spot for the best convenience.

PULLTITE SPRING CONFLUENCE

About 21 minutes after pushing off from the Pulltite landing and drifting down river without paddling you will come to where Pulltite Spring floats into the Current River on the right (Video). To access this location rom the campground by foot you will need to walk to the very south of the group campsites area and cross the river and walk a little further south through the water to catch the foot trail that parallels the spring branch up to it.

23-1PR

Bar on the left which is ~26 floating minutes from the Pulltite put in. Size=200 long x 25' deep, partly shaded, Composition=Gravel, Rank=3

FIRE HYDRANT SPRING

Spring gushing from bluff on right ~27 floating minutes from the Pulltite put in and about 1 minute past last gravel bar (VIDEO).

BUBBLING SPRING

Spring water bubbling up from the ground in the river on the right about 1 minute past Fire Hydrant Spring (VIDEO).

LONG, CALM STRAIGHT STRETCH OF RIVER

Quiet, slow & peaceful stretch

23-2PR

Gravel Bar on left ~32 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=100 long x 10' deep. Cleared wooded area, flat above it where you can tent or hammock camp. Deep hole in front. Rank=5, but would have given it a 7 if there wasn't so much TP on the ground.

23-3PR

Island ~37 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=1000' long x50' deep, Center has cleared gravel area, slightly raised for campsite. Island is 70% covered with plant life. Rank=4.

23-4PR

Bar on theright ~40 floating minutes from Pulttite. Size=1000 long x 50' deep, Covered in plant life. Rank = 1

23-5PR

Bar on the left ~41 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=200 long x 25' deep. Nice upper area campsite 50x50'. Shaded. Current in front. Rank=8 PHOTO1 - PHOTO 2

23-6PR

Gravel bar across from last gravel bar with Boyd's Creek next to it. Gravel bar is 50x50' and has upper area too. Telephone pole & line crosses river here. I would not camp here if rain is forecast. Rank = 3

23-7PR

Sand bar on the left ~58 floating minutes from Pulltite. Small opening opens to 25x25' sandy, shaded area that looks like an old country road no really used. On the other side of the river the old road continues. Rank = 3.

Pulltite to Round Spring is a good starter stretch for kids

23-8PR

Boyd's Hollow Gravel Bar on the right ~1 hour and 1 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=500 long x 50' deep, Deep hole in front with boulders in the river. Bluff. Private cabin just through the woods for rent as an AirBNB. (details). Rental is on private land, but gravel bar on Ozark Natinal Scenic Riverways land. --- Aerial View - Rank=7

23-9PR

Gravel bar on the left ~1 hour and 2 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=2000 long x 50' deep, 50% plant life, middle section has campsite area. Rank=4.

23-10PR

Rock bar on right ~ 1 hour and 13 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size = 50x50'. Rank=1.

23-11PR

Rock bar on left ~1 hour and 20 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 25 x 25' deep, Deep hole just below, then around bend on same bar another 25x25' bar in front of deep hole. Rank=1

23-12PR

Rock island~1 hour and 24 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 300 long x 25' deep, Rank=1

PHONE LINE CROSSES RIVER

2 minutes past island.

23-13PR

Cute small shaded 25x25' sand bar on left ~1 hour and 30 floating minutes from Pulltite. Current in front, deep hole just below. Rank=5 PHOTO 1 - PHOTO 2

23-14PR

Rock/gravel Bar mainly to left ~1 hour and 32 floating minutes from Pulltite Size= 500 long x 100' deep Rank=1

23-15PR

Rock/gravel Bar on left ~1 hour and 33 floating minutes from Pulltitte. Size= 50 long x 15' deep, Phone line crosses river here.

HOUSE ON RIGHT

.Just after gravel bar there is a house on the right (PHOTO) with a wet weather creek next to it. Good rapids just after.

23-16PR (RAPIDS)

Gravel bar ~1 hour and 34 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size=100x25' with shade right in front of good rapids. Big bluff across from it on lower portion of bar. Very enjoyable spot. RANK=8 PHOT0 1- PHOTO 2

23-17PR

Gravel bar on right ~1 hour and 41 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 1000 long x 50' deep, Sporadic plant life. Best portion is on southern edge. Rank=4

In a canoe, this 9mi. stretch is 2.5mph + stops. Rafts 2mph.

PHONE LINE CROSSES RIVER

About 1 minute past last gravel bar.

23-18PR

Gravel Bar on left ~1 hour and 45 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 200 long x 15' deep, across from big bluff. Little 25x10' sand section also.

23-19PR

Gravel bar on left ~1 hours and 46 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 200 long x 25' deep, Rank=1

Illegal Rope Swing

~ 1 hour 49 floating minutes from Pulltite put in. Rope swing haning and usage is illegal in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and could result in fines.

23-20PR

Rock/gravel island ~1 hour and 50 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 100' long x 50' deep, Nice deep hole on left side of island. Rank=2

23-21PR (PHONE LINES)

Gravel bar on left ~1 hour and 51 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 500 long x 50' deep, there is an upper area with shad and sun 200x200' where hammocks can also hang. Rank=6

SLOW CALM STRETCH

FOR ABOUT 7 minutes

HOLE IN THE WALL OVERHANG

~1 hour and 53 floating minutes from Pulltite put in and about 2 minutes into the slow stretch is a popular photograph spot on the right where people stop to get their picture taken through the hole in the overhang bluff rock outcropping. PHOTO

23-22PR

Gravel Rock Bar on right ~1 hour and 58 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 300 long x 40' deep, Rank=1

23-23PR

Rock/gravel Bar on right ~2 hours rom Pulltite put in. Size= 300 long x 100' deep Rank=1

CURRENT RIVER STATE PARK

Current River State Park on the left ~2 hours and 2 floating minutes from Pulltite put in. Small gravel bar to access the park from. Small park across with deep hole. For day use only. No camping. PHOTO 1 - PHOTO 2 - PHOTO 3

23-24PR

Gravel Bar on right across from CRSP ~2 hours and 4 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 300 long x 100' deep, Rank=4

Current River State Park used to be the old Alton Bell Club

23-25PR

Gravel Bar on right ~2 hours and 7 floating minutes from Pulltite. Size= 500 long x 15' deep, Rank=2

23-26PR

Gravel/rock bar on left ~2 hours and 10 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 300 long x 100' deep, Rank=2

23-27PR

Extension of same gravel Bar on left ~2 hours and 12 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 200 long x 50' deep, Rank=2

23-28PR

~2 hours and 20 floating minute from Pulltite put in is a big wooded island. Go right and near the end is a cute little 25x25' sand/gravel spot with shade on the left . Rank=5 PHOTO

23-29PR (WATERFALL CAVE)

Gravel Bar on left at river bend to the left ~2 hours and 28 floating minute from Pulltite put in. Size= Small 200 long x 25' deep, Current in front of bar and cave directly across the river on right. This cave (also called Merritt Rock or Little Gem Cave) is closed to access and fines have been given by the park service for entering. Don't do it. You can however hear a waterfall in the back of the cave when listening from the entrance opening. This in my opinion is the last great stop before ending at round spring. PHOTO 1 - PHOTO 2

FIRE TOWER

After leaving the waterfall cave gravel bar stop you will see off in the distance on a hill top the Shannondale fire tower lookout.

23-30PR

Gravel/rock Bar on left ~2 hours and 41 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 100 long x 50' deepRank=1. At this point you will start hearing vehicle sounds from the Sinking Creek bridge that is about 17 more minutes down river.

23-31PR

Gravel Bar on right ~2 hours and 50 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 200 long x 50' deep, Rannk=2

SINKING CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

Large gravel bar on left ~2 hours and 58 floating minutes from Pulltite called the Sinking Creek Primitive Campground. The WARM waters of Sinking creek flows into the COLD water of current river on the left just past this gravel bar. Where the 2 meet is the transition zone in the water and worth checking out with a dip.

23-32PR

Gravel bar and wet weather creek on right @ ~3 hours and 9 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 100 long x 50' deep, You will hear the sounds of Round Spring bridge where it crosses the Current River from this point on. Rank=3

PHONE LINES CROSS RIVER

About minute past last gravel bar.

23-33PR

Rock Bar on left ~3 hours and 15 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 25 long x 25' deep, RANK=1

CARRS CANOE RENTAL AT THE BRIDGE HAS BASIC SUPPLIES

23-34PR

Sand bar on left at end of island ~3 hours and 18 floating minute from Pulltite. Size= 25 long x 25' deep Rank=4

23-35PR

There is a sizeable partly plant covered gravel/rock bar on the left at ~3 hours and 22 floating minute from pulltite, but it is so close to the take out I don't consider it worth mentioning.

ROUND SPRING TAKE OUT

On left at ~3 hours and 24 floating minutes from Pulltite is Carrs Canoe Rental and the Round Spring bridge.

See the other surveys (Cedar Grove to Akers here and Akers Ferry to Pulltite here) . I will update this survey once every 2-3 years as time allows.

The Missouri Scenic Rivers project needs your support: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/moscenicrivers