Chunky River in Mississippi

Trip Overview

Launched at the public boat ramp off US-80. Took out at the Stucky Bridge Road.

The water level was 3.2', 210cfs. At this level we had no problem with any of the shoals or strainers in the river. There were three of us, two 14' touring kayaks and a 16' canoe. We made the 12+ mile paddle just under 5 hours.

You will be paddling through shoals one minute. The next thing you know there are Cypress knees everywhere. Then there will be high moss covered banks with spring water running out of it. There are a few houses and camps on the upper stretches but you soon find yourself on a meandering stream with few sighs of development.

We combined three sections into one trip:
• Locals call the upper loop (US80W-US80E) "7-Mile Bend" but it's only 3 miles by GPS.
• The second section is only 2.5 miles (US80E-Point Wanita Lake Rd).
• The last section (Point Wanita Rd-Stucky Bridge Rd) is 6.5 miles.

If the water level was much lower we would have run aground. If it was higher than 5', strainers would have been a problem.

Accommodations:

There is a campground across the river from the upper boat ramp. Chunky River Recreation Campground & Trading Post

Fees:

No fees for parking at boat ramp

Directions:

Launch Point, Meridian, MS:

West on I-20 to exit #121. South on Chunky/Duffee Rd. East on US-80 cross Chunky River, Right on Pine Forest Rd. Boat ramp road is on Right before RR tracks.

Take Outs:
Return to US80 and turn Right, Turn Right just before before bridge as ramp is beside bridge. This is also the USGS Gauge location.

US80E to Point Wanita Lake Rd, turn Right, there is a boat ramp just down stream of the bridge. Continue South on Point Wanita Lake Rd to Stuckey Bridge Rd. Turn Right and follow it to the bridge.

Resources:

"Canoeing Mississippi" by Earnest Herndon, University Press of Mississippi.

ISBN 1-57806-222-5