Missouri’s North Fork of the White River

The North Fork of the White combines a relatively constant flow of clear water from large springs with some of the best whitewater in the Missouri Ozarks. Since its upper reaches are in Mark Twain National Forest, it retains some wilderness character and has good watershed protection. The section from Hwy. 14 to Hwy. H is near-wilderness and includes some fine stands of short-leaf pine as well as several large springs. Old mills and a number of National Forest recreation areas enhance the attractiveness of the area for vacationers. Indeed, this river has high-quality recreation value equal to any in the Ozarks.

The river is almost always floatable from Dora down to Norfork Reservoir. Although the gradient of the lower sections is not spectacular, the volume is good and this produces some fairly sporty rifts.

The Little North Fork, in western Ozark County, was a fair float before Bull Shoals Reservoir destroyed its lower reaches. There is now little of it left that could be floated, but it is still suited to wading and fishing in the Hammond area.

Difficulty: I and II. A few places might rate a low III in high water. Gradients: general- 7.5; Hwy. HH to Round Valley Ford – 10.4; to Twin Bridges – 8; Hammond Camp – 6.7; to Hwy. H – 6.4; to Tecumseh take-out – 5.6. Counties: Douglas, Ozark, Howell useful for road connections.