GL: The wrong way

[Bob and Liz Stagg]

Tom, 

The answer to your question about the best time to run the rivers is, "it
depends." Working your way around the "Big Bend" is always dependent on the
weather. Using the NOAA wind, wave and tide sites is most helpful,
especially around the Crystal River and Steinhatchee.

 

However, the real issue is the impact of spring storm flooding on the lower
Tenn-Tom Waterway.  Fred Myers book, "Nitty-Gritty Tenn-Tom" is invaluable
if you can find one. Fred makes some strong cautions about travel on the
river when it is at flood stage.

 

We brought our boat from Florida to the Tennessee River in May 2006 just
after a major storm caused the lower river to rise as much as 20 feet above
normal pool. We monitored the Corp of Engineers sites for the river level
and waited until the river had crested at all locations and had dropped 4 or
5 feet. Although this usually allows the big stuff (trees, refrigerators,
etc.) to get stuck on the banks, we still had a lot of trash in the water
and some significant current.  With a slower boat you may want to wait til
the river is closer to normal pool. Some years there is little flooding, but
April and May can produce flooding that can last for a week or more. Once
you reach the Tennessee River, things should be much more manageable. But
there can be flooding here too; every year is different. Please don't let
these comments discourage you; we love boating on the Tennessee River, and
most Loopers spend a month here in the Fall.

 

Bob Stagg

PDQ 34, Second Wind

Huntsville, Alabama