Reviews: Little River Diversion Channel

Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson, Pegasus, on Nov 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Suggest you enter with a bit of power from slightly down river as the Mississippi River current will push you the port side of the narrow canal as you enter. Once into the channel it is immediately calm. When we were there the river was very low. We idled up the channel watching our sounder and never saw less than 4.5 feet. We anchored just past the railroad bridge and we were all alone. Good, quiet and peaceful anchorage, but not at all pet-friendly. The banks of the canal are steep and muddy.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Note: Upper Mississippi river at Thebes, IL 306.27.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Kevin Williams, m/v Blue Tortuga, on Oct 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

During our stay when the water was quite low we still had 5-8 feet. At this time there is a small current which helps minimize swing. 6 looper boats easily fit, with space for another few. Be prepared to power your way into the canal due to the current moving past the entrance. Once inside the current reduces significantly in a few moments.

River gage at Cape Girardeau MO. 9.4 feet.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf, Ohana, on Sep 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Depths 9/20/24 were 5-6 feet. Low water this time of year. We had SW winds, so kept us pointing upstream.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Mississippi River Stage above Price Landing -1.74 feet. 

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Michael Kwiat on Jun 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.5'

Mud bottom. Good holding even though water was extremely high. Felt safe there, no current, very well protected from wing

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Captain Wes, Toscana, on May 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Always great holding, and great protection. Contrary to some reviews you CAN get in here when the water is low, note the wall of rock on the downstream half of the entrance on your chart. Don't go over it enter on the upstream half. You will get an occasional fishing boat wake you, but half will slow down and be respectful.
This is the best anchorage Hoppies to Cairo

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Graeme Walker, Confirmed Aquaholic, on Oct 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

I'm giving this a low rating because the water was so low and the channel too narrow for our comfort. Wind was coming upstream and we would have swung when it died. There were 7 other boats so we decided to go back 2 miles and anchor just south of the Cape Girardeau bridge on the LDB, lots of room, good holding, there were four of us there.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Mike M on Oct 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.5'

Water level is down, but 5-6 ft to bridge. Slight current from bridge will keep you pointing to the bridge

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Sep 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Water levels fluctuate in here. Well protected from the busy Upper Mississippi barge traffic. Room for plenty of boats if everyone cooperates. Nice and quiet.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Brian Chapin, Tug Life, on Sep 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.5'

As of Sept 14/22, water levels 5 - 10 ft below normal. Today this anchorage is completely dry.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Edward Kerstein on Apr 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.9'

Enjoyed two nights here because of strong winds and this is a beautiful haven from The Great Mississippi! Loved watching all the tows go by as we were safely tucked away. Water was high so we were in about 22 ft. Plenty wide for a 56ft Carver. Slight current heading out keeps your boat in center of channel.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Mike Worsley, Islena, on Oct 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

We had 5 boats with 7 feet depth, calm and no current. Need to drop anchor on back as it is narrow, specially this year with rivers being at a 10 year low.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Rob Dare, Liberty Call , on Oct 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Great wind protection. Very high berms. Had to cross the Mississippi River to take the dog for a walk. Very quiet.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Sep 19, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Little River Diversion Canal Anchorage is just off the channel in Cape Girardeau but is a completely separated world. Current in the river starts at four miles an hour; in the canal it is negligible unless you are in the middle of rainstorms when the canal can be difficult.

Enter facing upstream into the current RDB from main channel at mile 48.8 making allowances for the transition from river current to still water. Depth immediately goes up to about 12' normal pool and continues up the canal for a distance. Reported depths decreased to eight feet about 300 yards in from the river but could not be verified due to rafted boats blocking the channel. Water levels were low and it was difficult to set an anchor with no current and limited swing room. Perhaps an excellent stop when there is adequate water, better channel width, and some current to orient boats well. Care should be taken when anchoring near the mouth of the canal as there is an eddy current that will move your boat upstream in unexpected ways.

We pulled anchor and went elsewhere for the night.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Sep 17, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Enter RDB from main channel at mile 48.8 making allowances for the transition from river current to still water. Depth immediately goes up to about 12' normal pool and continues up the canal for a distance. Reported depths decreased about 300 yards in from the river but could not be verified due to rafted boats blocking the channel. Water levels were low and it was difficult to set an anchor with no current and limited swing room in these conditions. An excellent stop when there is adequate water and some current to orient boats well. Care should be taken when anchoring near the mouth of the canal as there is an eddy current that will move your boat upstream in unexpected ways.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Jacques Cote on Nov 30, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 3.6'

Very good anchorage, it was a very foggy day, then very difficult to navigate so we enjoy this peaceful area. Anchor in 23'... will enjoy a good night sleep.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Mark Stevens, Frickin Chez & Rice, on Oct 18, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Beautiful anchorage, great water depth, 30’. Entry was a little swift with the Mississippi at flood stage but once you fight the current in, it’s calm and peaceful. Stayed October 17, 2019 after 153 mile run from Alton Marina. Great stopping point before run to Paducah.

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Greg Youngberg, Blurred Lines , on Nov 7, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

November 1st, 2018 we rafted 3 looper boats together on the shallower right side of the canal over 1/2 up toward the bridge and still registered 25-28' depths (left side was 30+). Good holding and no need for aft anchor; current kept us from swinging. Unusual flooding raised depths significantly

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Review for Little River Diversion Channel

Reviewed by: Terry J on Sep 17, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

After 110 miles from Hoppies this was a great and only anchorage. We were in 30 feet of water, no wind, no current, good hold.

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