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Missouri | Southwest Missouri

James River

H.L. Kerr Access to Ralph Cox Memorial Access

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Today

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Today's conditions

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Quick facts

On-water distance About 4.8 to 5.5 mi H.L. Kerr Access to Ralph Cox Memorial Access
Difficulty easy This is a short recreational Ozark river segment with riffles, pools, gravel bars, rock features, and town-side access near Galena. It remains easy only at ordinary levels; high or rising water can make bends, strainers, and the Cox landing less forgiving.
Shuttle Car shuttle Use a short Galena-area two-car or local outfitter shuttle between MDC H.L. Kerr Access and MDC Ralph Cox Memorial Access. Stage the Cox take-out first, because the access is close to town and can be busy on warm weekends.
Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow MDC area rules, posted signs, day-use restrictions, and boat-use rules at H.L. Kerr and Ralph Cox Memorial Access.
Camping Options nearby Do not plan to camp at either endpoint. MDC lists both H.L. Kerr and Ralph Cox Memorial as day-use access areas, and camping is not allowed on those areas.
Season Mar-Nov The Galena-area James is commonly floated in spring through fall. Low summer water can make the short route slow and scrapey; rain can improve depth but can also add cloudy water, fresh wood, and harder landings.

Plan

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Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at MDC H.L. Kerr Access and take out at MDC Ralph Cox Memorial Access near Galena for a short lower-James float. Use the Galena gauge as a conservative low-water check rather than a full preferred-range recommendation.

Directions Apple Maps OpenStreetMap
Start

Put-in

H.L. Kerr Access Open map

H.L. Kerr and Ralph Cox Memorial are MDC public day-use accesses with boat ramps and parking, but posted signs and area maps control exact use.

Finish

Take-out

Ralph Cox Memorial Access Open map

Both endpoints prohibit camping, and MDC rules prohibit leaving boats unattended overnight on department areas.

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats

  • H.L. Kerr and Ralph Cox Memorial are MDC public day-use accesses with boat ramps and parking, but posted signs and area maps control exact use.
  • Both endpoints prohibit camping, and MDC rules prohibit leaving boats unattended overnight on department areas.
  • Coordinates are practical access anchors from public paddling/location records paired with MDC access confirmation; follow on-site signs for the exact ramp and parking layout.

Watch for

  • Dragging, slow pools, and shallow riffles when the Galena gauge is near or below the 200 cfs floor.
  • High or rising water after rain, fresh wood, strainers on bends, cloudy water, and more difficult landings.
  • Busy summer boat, tube, rental, swimming, and angling traffic around Galena, the Y-Bridge, and local outfitter corridors.
  • Private land away from public accesses and lawful gravel-bar stops; do not assume banks are public picnic or camping areas.

Route gallery

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Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.

The James River flows past a low wooded bank and calm water in Springfield, Missouri.
James River in Springfield Photo by Cold417 via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 3.0

Sources

Check the data behind today's call.

Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.

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Why
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Outlook Tomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the score Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge site James River at Galena, MO
Discharge Checking
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Ideal range Needs paddler reports
Known low-water floor 200 cfs
High threshold Not calibrated yet
Data confidence behind the range Local route guidance
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Main source behind this score Rivers.MOHERP Galena gauge trip evidence for Kerr to Cox
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Notes What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Public put-in MDC H.L. Kerr Access

    MDC says H.L. Kerr Access provides access to the James River, with a parking lot and boat ramp. The area is day use only and camping is not allowed.

    Source

  • Public take-out MDC Ralph Cox Memorial Access

    MDC says Ralph Cox Memorial Access provides James River access just east of Galena, with an ADA-accessible concrete boat ramp, privy, and large parking lot. The area is day use only and camping is not allowed.

    Source

  • Route shape Kerr to Ralph Cox / Galena

    James River Basin Partnership describes the float from H.L. Kerr Access to Ralph Cox Access as one of the scenic James River floats near the historic Y-Bridge.

    Source

  • Route-specific trip evidence Kerr to Cox, about 4.8 to 5.5 miles

    Rivers.MOHERP lists exact Kerr-to-Cox trip rows on the Galena gauge, including good-condition reports around 306, 361, and 417 cfs.

    Source

  • Low-water floor 200 cfs minimum-only

    Exact Kerr-to-Cox good reports plus broader lower-James Galena-gauge evidence support reusing the conservative 200 cfs floor used for the adjacent lower-James route. The app does not infer an ideal range or high-water cutoff.

    Source

  • Live gauge USGS 07052500

    USGS operates James River at Galena, MO. This route uses the same direct Galena gauge already configured for the adjacent Shelvin Rock-to-Hooten Town route.

    Source

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Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

More in Missouri

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Missouri route guide Browse every tracked Missouri route. Southwest Missouri Jump to routes in this region.

More on James River

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Delaware Town Access to Shelvin Rock Access Southwest Missouri Easy · About 6.5 mi Shelvin Rock Access to Hooten Town Access Southwest Missouri Easy · About 6.2 mi

Nearby routes by distance

Beaver Creek Beaver Creek Campground / Brownbranch to Highway 76 Bridge at Bradleyville · about 34 mi away Moderate · About 7.9 mi Kings River Rockhouse Access to Trigger Gap · about 41 mi away Moderate · About 7.7 mi Buffalo River Kyle's Landing to Pruitt · about 54 mi away Hard · About 13.2 mi Shoal Creek Tipton Ford Access to Wildcat Access · about 56 mi away Moderate · About 6.9 mi

Quick answers

James River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling James River?

Paddle Today watches James River at Galena, MO and uses 200 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this James River route start and end?

This route starts at H.L. Kerr Access and ends at Ralph Cox Memorial Access, about About 4.8 to 5.5 mi on the water.

Is this James River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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