Dallas Downriver Club

Fort Parker State Park / Navasota River

Date: July 27-29, 2018 Sponsor: DDRC
River: Navasota River, Springfield lake Trip Leader: Bob Robinette
Reach: Confederate Reunion Grounds to Ft Parker SP. Phone: 972-365-1012
Difficulty: Class I  E-mail: Bob Robinette
Rendezvous: State Park Campground  Required Skills: beginner skills, proper protective gear, base camping
Campground: Fort Parker State Park  

Trip Description:

Bob Robinette is leading a Trip to Fort Parker. We’ll camp at the park and paddle the Navasota River. We’ll meet Saturday at 8am at the Confederate Reunion Grounds and launch from there. We will and run a shuttle to pick up the vehicles after the paddling back to camp. This trip will also work for those who do not want to camp – just send me a note that you are attending but not camping and be at the Confederate Reunion Grounds at 8am.

 

If you plan on camping at the Park RESERVE A SITE NOW!

 

This a easy paddle the only hazard may be high wind on the last part of the paddle across the lake.

 

Saturday evening we’ll have a pot luck dinner – this a great opportunity to practice your dutch oven cooking

Driving directions:
From Dallas: Take I 45 South to Richland. Take Hwy 14 South through Mexia. Continue for about 6 or 7 miles to Park Road 28. Turn right to Park entrance. 

Please email if you have any questions.


Click here for a full size map of Ft. Parker State Park

 


 


 


* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.

 

 

 

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Last updated June, 27 2018