Tom:
Under no circumstances should you consider going up the lower Mississippi
from New Orleans to Cairo. In fact, over the years, I have strongly discouraged
those who have asked me about even going downriver between those two points.
We ran that entire stretch on a passenger vessel just two months ago.
Considering what I saw plus my almost 30,000 miles of river navigation experience, I
can tell you it's absolutely no place for any pleasure boater to be.
The Tenn-Tom is your only option. Fortunately, it's a good one.
I generally advise those northbound on the Tenn-Tom in spring to wait until
May 1 or even a little later. By then and with normal weather conditions, any
high water and trash resulting from spring rains will no longer be a problem.
In that regard, the main area of concern is most generally the stretch
between Demopolis to Mobile. That's because the Black Warrior River which empties
into the Tombigbee just above Demopolis, has such a large watershed that
includes much of the Birmingham area.
Yes, you can call the Corps of Engineers in Mobile to get river stage
numbers. But a better way to get practical information is to contact Eastern Shore
Marine, Dog River Marina or Grand Mariner Marina on Mobile Bay. They
generally have a good touch on what's going on north of them. The folks at the
Demopolis Yacht Basin, however, are in an even better position to give you a "go" or
"no go" opinion. And they will gladly share that with you.
Just remember, however, that conditions on the Waterway can quickly change
whether for better or for worse. That's the reason many cruisers wait until
they get to Mobile before deciding exactly when to begin moving northward. In
short, keep your schedule flexible.
Please contact me offline if you wish more detailed and definitive
information. I will do all I can to help you have a good trip. We may even see you if
you come our way. Our home port is Grand Harbor Marina at the extreme upper
end of the Tenn-Tom.
Fred Myers
CruiseGuide Author & Publisher
For the Tennessee, Cumberland and Tenn-Tom
Tom:
Under no circumstances should you consider going up the lower Mississippi
from New Orleans to Cairo. In fact, over the years, I have strongly discouraged
those who have asked me about even going downriver between those two points.
We ran that entire stretch on a passenger vessel just two months ago.
Considering what I saw plus my almost 30,000 miles of river navigation experience, I
can tell you it's absolutely no place for any pleasure boater to be.
The Tenn-Tom is your only option. Fortunately, it's a good one.
I generally advise those northbound on the Tenn-Tom in spring to wait until
May 1 or even a little later. By then and with normal weather conditions, any
high water and trash resulting from spring rains will no longer be a problem.
In that regard, the main area of concern is most generally the stretch
between Demopolis to Mobile. That's because the Black Warrior River which empties
into the Tombigbee just above Demopolis, has such a large watershed that
includes much of the Birmingham area.
Yes, you can call the Corps of Engineers in Mobile to get river stage
numbers. But a better way to get practical information is to contact Eastern Shore
Marine, Dog River Marina or Grand Mariner Marina on Mobile Bay. They
generally have a good touch on what's going on north of them. The folks at the
Demopolis Yacht Basin, however, are in an even better position to give you a "go" or
"no go" opinion. And they will gladly share that with you.
Just remember, however, that conditions on the Waterway can quickly change
whether for better or for worse. That's the reason many cruisers wait until
they get to Mobile before deciding exactly when to begin moving northward. In
short, keep your schedule flexible.
Please contact me offline if you wish more detailed and definitive
information. I will do all I can to help you have a good trip. We may even see you if
you come our way. Our home port is Grand Harbor Marina at the extreme upper
end of the Tenn-Tom.
Fred Myers
CruiseGuide Author & Publisher
For the Tennessee, Cumberland and Tenn-Tom
