In response to the question about websites which are helpful while transiting the rivers, we found that the Army Corps of Engineers site which has a Hydrological Prediction Service Tab was most helpful in keeping track of the stage of each river. They operate several gauges along each river and one can easily track the current and flood stage on a daily basis. It is presented in a graphical form so one can follow the predicted rise or fall. We used it four years ago when we were on the Mississippi and wanted to go up the Ohio (in a 6.8 kt boat). Two hurricanes had dumped rain in Pennsylvania and it took two weeks for the waters to reach the Mississippi. The day we saw the current slow down to 2.5 kts was the day we headed up the Ohio. We again used it on three trips on the Tenn-Tom. We waited three weeks in Biloxi until the Black Warrior decided to settle back down after spring rains in April. The next three weeks were glorious even though we were "peddling upstream." If you are going to cross the Big Bend, there is a site called Big Bend Fishing. Follow the site to their weather section and you will find a Navy link which shows a representation of the Big Bend area with predictions of wind and waves. What is so good about this site is that when you look at the wind direction and wave direction, they might not always agree. It is a big bowl and more than one mariner has been surprised to find that the waves haven't caught up with the wind. If you are from Lake Michigan, I think you know what I am talking about. Good Luck on your trip, Martha Sandpiper Schucker 436