State | Missouri | ||
River | Niangua River | ||
Notes | Historical data are mostly lacking for the Niangua River. Furthermore, the Windyville gauge is placed above Bennett Spring, really indicating the condition of the river above that point. The Niangua can nearly always be comfortably floated below the spring, even during dry years. The rated conditions are an indicator for floating above the spring. | ||
Links | Duck Duck Go Search Missouri Canoe and Floater's Association A Paddler's Guide to Missouri A Float Trip Blog from the Midwest KML | ||
Gauges |
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Date | Start | End | Distance | Condition | Gauge | Discharge | Height | Fishing | Details | |
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2024-06-05 | Bennett Springs | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 1540 | 4.40 | None | None Acharya, Sree Arnold, Al Eth, Joe Turk, Scott Van Someren, Tom Al organized this mid-week trip in an effort to get as many of our old MIS floating group out on the river, but also trying to avoid the Party-River congestion that occurs (especially on the Niangua) during the summer. Pushing off from the takeout at 830 hours we hoped to avoid most of the boneheads. We were successful for the most part, but there were still plenty of people making use of the beautiful day. One woman in particular, though, seemed to think everyone wanted to hear her music played as loudly as possible. Other than this inconsiderate nitwit, it was a great float with easy-going people and near perfect conditions. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 1540 Height: 4.40 Source: Van Someren |
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2020-03-29 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | High | Windyville (06923250) | 749 | 3.04 | None | None Ingram, Annabelle Ingram, EJ Ingram, Eric Ingram, Isaac Ingram, Shaundra Fletcher, JJ Fletcher, Jacey Fletcher, Jaxson Fletcher, John Luke Fletcher, Joshua Fletcher, Stacey The CFS was 634 and height was 3.04. Nobody else was on the river, minimal debris, made the trip in 2 hours and 40 minutes! USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 749 Height: 3.04 Source: Ingram |
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2008-06-10 | Moon Valley | NRO | Total trip distance: 10.8 miles10.8 | High | Windyville (06923250) | 617 | 3.66 | None | None Bowe, Ann Bowe, Michelle Bowe, Mike Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph We took a six-person raft down the river. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 617 Height: 3.66 Source: Edmond |
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2015-07-17 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | High | Windyville (06923250) | 515 | 3.53 | None | None Edmond, Brian Grote, Jordan Williamson, Amelia Williamson, Charlie Williamson, Lucy Williamson, Myki The river was high but not dangerously so. We easily finished this stretch in about four hours, even with several stops to swim and explore. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 515 Height: 3.53 Source: Edmond |
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2015-06-15 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 332 | 2.86 | None | None Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Grote, Brandy Grote, Camryn Grote, Chase Grote, Hannah Lichtenberg, Brady Storts, Amy Jo Storts, Kaleb Storts, Kylie Jo The water was a bit higher and murkier than in previous trips. There were no major obstacles of concern in this stretch. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 332 Height: 2.86 Source: Edmond |
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2023-02-12 | Bennett Springs | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 262 | 2.14 | Fair | RT Henly, Bob Henley, Cindy Ryan, JP Four Brown Trout as well as Rainbows. Great Flow for a Float. Two immature eagles. Nobody else on our stretch of the Niangua. Cindy found "ancient" glass as well as all four colors, green, blue, white, and red. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 262 Height: 2.14 Source: Henley |
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2016-06-17 | Barclay | Lead Mines | Total trip distance: 17.8 miles17.8 | High | Windyville (06923250) | 257 | 3.06 | None | None Arnold, Al Davis, Reva Edmond, Brian Eth, Joe Flat Tom The gauge information is misleading here. The standard is to choose the value at noon on the day of the trip, but it's clear from our observations that we were riding the flood crest at least part of the day (and the Windyville gauge is quite a ways upstream from this stretch of river). When we reached Lead Mines, the gravel bar where we left the truck was flooded and nearly stranded us until the water receded. Originally, we planned to put in at Prosperine but decided we could float the stretch between Barclay and Prosperine faster than doing the long shuttle to the other side of the river. I'm not sure that was actually true but it certainly wasn't a huge difference in time. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 257 Height: 3.06 Source: Edmond |
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2016-01-30 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 178 | 2.40 | Poor | LMB Arnold, Al Edmond, Brian Several people were fly fishing and one couple in kayaks caught their limit in trout. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 178 Height: 2.40 Source: Edmond |
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2021-06-19 | Moon Valley | Bennett Spring | Total trip distance: 7.9 miles7.9 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 149 | 1.29 | Good | GSF SMB Barton, Adam Barton, Scott We were on the river by 6:45am and had it to ourselves until we got close to Bennett Spring. The is a huge log jam about 1.5 miles downstream of Moon Valley that created a secondary channel and resulted in a 20 minute detour with a few portages. We dragged on about half the riffles, so I would not want to float this section at too much lower of a level. Several deep long pools exist in this section, which would be great for fishing on a cooler day. Overall the fishing was excellent between 7:00am-9:00am, but lowly tapered off as the day warmed up. The water was murkier than usual which was odd given the river level. Once we reached where Bennett Spring Branch discharges into the river, the water cleared up and felt amazing to swim in. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 149 Height: 1.29 Source: Barton |
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2013-11-10 | Moon Valley | Bennett Spring | Total trip distance: 7.9 miles7.9 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 138 | 2.44 | Great | SMB KSB Edmond, Brian Fillmore, Brian Fillmore, Rebecca Ligon, Day Floating was perfect, with only one brief portage through a riffle because we took the wrong channel. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 138 Height: 2.44 Source: Edmond |
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2012-03-18 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 107 | 1.77 | None | None Bowe, Michelle Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph Edmond, Julian Ligon, Adelia Ligon, Day Ligon, Elicia Ligon, Elseya Smith, Brianne Smith, Keegan Lots of wildflowers seen on this trip. Returned to the put in about 1900 hours. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 107 Height: 1.77 Source: Edmond |
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2016-02-19 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 97 | 1.86 | Poor | RB Arnold, Al Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Van Someren, Tom The winds were high this day, making paddling difficult in places. Although the spring keeps this river floatable, the water level was noticeably low in several places. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 97 Height: 1.86 Source: Edmond |
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2015-01-18 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 84 | 1.96 | None | None Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Ligon, Adalia Ligon, Day Ligon, Elseya Some parts of the river were low but we never had to get out to portage. Very few if any tricky areas. This is a great float for beginners and kids. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 84 Height: 1.96 Source: Edmond |
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2020-07-18 | Sand Springs | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.6 miles6.6 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 80 | 1.00 | None | None Caldwell, Marty Comstock, Russell Great kayaking float! Water year round is 56 degrees and clear. Didn’t drag at all! Average height was 1.05. There are plenty gravel bars to pull off and hang out with other outdoor water folk. We used Majestic Views Outfitters. They are the best Outfitters I have ever done business with. Directions: They do not have a sign to tell you where to turn (they are working on that), but if you're coming from Lebanon on MO 64, after you cross over the Niangua River bridge, they are down the dirt road on your right. If coming from Joplin on MO 64, after you pass Sandy Springs Resort, it's the dirt road on your left before you cross the bridge. Pull down and park at the first section where you see the water access, vans and people getting in the water. If you get lost, call Barbie at Majestic Views Outfitters, she is more than helpful getting you there. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 80 Height: 1.00 Source: Caldwell |
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2020-08-06 | Moon Valley | Bennett Spring | Total trip distance: 7.5 miles7.5 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 79 | 1.17 | Poor | SMB Feistner, J Feistner, S Schroeppel, B Schroeppel, K Water level was acceptable. River has long quiet pools, followed by rock and gravel riffles. With lower flows you may find yourself dragging excessively or walking at some of the rock riffles, shallow split channels, and where there are downed trees. Had to portage just before Hildebrand Bluff due to a log jam completely obstructing the right channel and a couple of small trees obstructing the smaller, left channel. According to another floater, this area has been an issue for quite some time, so it is unlikely that vendors put in at Moon Valley, or they would have removed at least the small trees blocking the channel. Quiet, scenic and enjoyable float on a Thursday. Two other kayaks seen on the river and a few fisherman above the park. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 79 Height: 1.17 Source: Feistner |
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2009-07-10 | Bennett Spring | NRO | Total trip distance: 2.9 miles2.9 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 77 | 1.38 | None | None Bowe, Michelle Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph Smith, Andy Smith, Brianne Smith, Keegan There were so many people on the river today that it was dangerous to float. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 77 Height: 1.38 Source: Edmond |
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2016-10-15 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 64 | 1.73 | Poor | RT SMB Davis, Reva Eth, Joe Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Ligon, Adalia Ligon, Day Ligon, Elseya This was a good float with a strong south wind, luckily at our backs most of the day. I saw several snakes in or at the edge of the water not marked on the log because I couldn't positively identify them. There were a few places where we dragged, but nothing was unmanageable. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 64 Height: 1.73 Source: Edmond |
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2021-10-10 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 56 | 0.93 | Poor | None Arnold, Al Blaisdell, Beth Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Van Someren, Andrea Van Someren, Tom This stretch was surprisingly busy for so late in the season. But, the temperatures were really warm and the day was fantastic. There was a strong south wind blowing mostly at our backs but it was a problem a few times. This was Beth's first paddling trip with us. It will be the first of many, I'm sure! USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 56 Height: 0.93 Source: Edmond |
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2007-07-30 | Bennett Spring | Ho Humm | Total trip distance: 8.0 miles8.0 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 47 | None | None Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph No notes for this trip USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 47 Height: Source: Edmond |
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2014-07-15 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 43 | 1.53 | Fair | RB Bowe, Michelle Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Frese, Garrison Frese, Heather Frese, Justus Frese, Paul The day started with several groups on the river but they quickly outpaced us leaving us mostly alone, particularly after NRO. One gentleman at an access point just upstream from our takeout was particularly entertaining with storytelling and an accent that was typical for the area. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 43 Height: 1.53 Source: Edmond |
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2017-12-02 | Bennett Spring | Barclay | Total trip distance: 6.3 miles6.3 | Low | Windyville (06923250) | 36 | 0.88 | Poor | RT Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Fillmer, Lawrence Larsen, Chris Larsen, Lisa Ligon, Day Sardina, Krissy Shelly, Marc Travers, Gina Van Someren, Andrea Van Someren, Tom The water level was pretty low but most areas were navigable. At least a few spots required a short portage or the boats dragged some or a lot (especially the canoes). This was a fishing crew and there was very little caught (just two trout) during the entire day. This stretch is not long but with the short days and the low, slow water, we had to keep moving to make it off the water before dark. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 36 Height: 0.88 Source: Edmond |
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2019-01-05 | Moon Valley | Bennett Spring | Total trip distance: 7.9 miles7.9 | Good | Windyville (06923250) | 0 | 2.60 | Poor | None Bartlett, Renee Casey, Libra Edmond, Brian Edmond, Julian Jones, Marianne Van Someren, Tom This stretch of the river is very scenic. Libby got caught up behind one log jam and tipped into the water. Other than that, this is a pretty easy stretch. USGS Gauge Data:Windyville (06923250) Discharge: 0 Height: 2.60 Source: Edmond |
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2006-06-11 | Fort Niangua | NRO | Total trip distance: 9.3 miles9.3 | Good | (none) | None | None Edmond, Brian Ince, Brianne No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
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2003-06-14 | Fort Niangua | Rendezvous | Total trip distance: 14.1 miles14.1 | High | (none) | None | None Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph UU Church Group No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
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2002-09-07 | Bennett Spring | Ho Humm | Total trip distance: 8.0 miles8.0 | Good | (none) | None | None Caldwell, Tamara Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph Ince, Brianne Ince, Seth Smith, Andy No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
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2004-05-08 | Bennett Spring | Ho Humm | Total trip distance: 8.0 miles8.0 | Good | (none) | None | None Edmond, Brian Ince, Seth No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
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2001-06-09 | Bennett Spring | Ho Humm | Total trip distance: 8.0 miles8.0 | Good | (none) | None | None Edmond, Alex Edmond, Brian Edmond, Joseph No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
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2006-07-08 | NRO | Rendezvous | Total trip distance: 4.8 miles4.8 | Good | (none) | None | None Breshears, Julie Edmond, Brian No notes for this trip No USGS gauge for this river and date Source: Edmond |
A total of 28 rows are displayed.
Miles | 211.4 |
Trips | 28 |
People | 78 |
Dates | 28 |
Years | 19 |
Months | 11 |
Rows | 28 |
Sources | 7 |
The classic River Trips application is still available for use. It is updated with the new system using a data retrofit. It is no longer maintained. The original River Trips application is no longer updated (as of 1 Dec 2016) but can be checked for errors or for the condition of the data before it was converted to the new system.