The Locust Fork of The Black Warrior River

     The Locust Fork is located just North of Birmingham, Alabama. Of the many canoeable rivers in Alabama, the Locust Fork is of the most technical. It is not uncommon to see kayakers playing in the fork's many turbulent "holes".

     I rafted the Locust Fork in 1992 but have not canoed it yet, I am waiting for more experience before I take my own canoe. I would go in someone else's canoe though! Rafting the Locust back in 1992, I saw an aluminum canoe neatly wrapped around a large bolder in the center of the river just past the Swann covered bridge. The bottom of the canoe was about 2 feet from the current waterline so I knew someone was out there during high water.


The following information is a compilation of notes I have taken from John Foshee's book Alabama Canoe Rides. It is for quick access to data pertaining to when I can go (water stage) and what sections to take depending on whether I want to camp or just go for the day.

This information should be used in conjunction with the section descriptions from the book. There is important information which you should read and take note of before leaving the house. Especially on Sections 3 and 4.

Section 1

	Length...: 5.5 Miles
	Put-in...: Wards Bridge
	Take-out.: Dirt Road
	Drop.....: 7.4
	Min Stage: 1.4
	Med Stage: 1.6
	Max Stage: ?.?
	Topo Maps: Susan Moore, Blountsville
	Notes....: Intersects CO26 Bridge

Section 2

	Length...: 10.2 Miles
	Put-in...: Dirt Road
	Take-out.: US231 (S79)
	Drop.....: 9.8
	Min Stage: 1.5
	Med Stage: 1.8
	Max Stage: ?.?
	Topo Maps: Susan Moore, Blountsville
	Notes....: 

Section 3

	Length...: 3.6 Miles
	Put-in...: US231 (S79)
	Take-out.: Swann Covered Bridge
	Drop.....: 23
	Min Stage: 1.6
	Med Stage: 2.1-2.6
	Max Stage: 4.0
	Topo Maps: Blountsville, Cleveland
	Notes....: Dangerous (look at length to drop ratio)

Section 4

	Length...: 4.2 Miles
	Put-in...: Swann Covered Bridge
	Take-out.: Nectar Covered Bridge (burned as of 1994)
	Drop.....: 25 in 2.4 miles, 1 in 1.8 miles
	Min Stage: 1.6
	Med Stage: 2.1-2.6
	Max Stage: 4.0
	Topo Maps: Cleveland, Nectar
	Notes....: Dangerous (similar to section 3)
	           Intersects CO160

Section 5

	Length...: 5 Miles
	Put-in...: Nectar Covered Bridge (burned as of 1994)
	Take-out.: CO15 (Shoal Creek)
	Drop.....: 2
	Min Stage: 1.5
	Med Stage: 2.2
	Max Stage: ?.?
	Topo Maps: Nectar
	Notes....: Convergence with Blackburn Fork

Section 6

	Length...: 10 Miles
	Put-in...: CO15 (Shoal Creek)
	Take-out.: Vaughns Bridge
	Drop.....: 6
	Min Stage: 1.2
	Med Stage: 2.0
	Max Stage: ?.?
	Topo Maps: Nectar
	Notes....: Watch for private "low water bridge"

Section 7

	Length...: 9 Miles
	Put-in...: Vaughns Bridge
	Take-out.: CO121 (Trafford)
	Drop.....: 2.2
	Min Stage: 1.2
	Med Stage: 2.5 (skilled)
	Max Stage: ?.?
	Topo Maps: Nectar, Trafford, Warrior
	Notes....: