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Wabash River |
Indiana's Longest
River Part of this river forms the border with Illinois |
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Location & Canoeable Mileage -- Pittsburg, IN to Mt. Carmel, IL is a distance of either 220 or 238 miles (depending on which source you consult), a trip of 10-12 days depending on flow and your energy level. In the upper reaches of this run, the Wabash is already a fairly large river (up to 300 feet wide in places). The lower Wabash becomes a very broad and open river as it nears the Ohio. There are many good intermediate access points, so you can choose a trip of whatever length suits you. You might even consider starting your trip on the Tippecanoe River and floating the last 18 miles of that small tributary into the Wabash near the town of Lafayette, then continuing on down the Wabash. March and April are usually the highest water months, with average flow tapering off through the summer until October, then gradually building up again over the winter. Interesting Features -- The farmland and small communities of Indiana that lie along the Wabash are typical of America's Midwest, and offer a pleasant backdrop for an extended float trip. Many of these can be visited on foot from the river. The river is lined with mixed hardwood vegetation, including silver maple, cottonwood, and elm. George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, in Vincennes can be visited from the river. While acknowledged as one of the major float streams of Indiana, the Wabash has not experienced significant development for recreational canoeing, so shuttles will likely need to be of the self service variety. Canoe rental outfits listed below may provide some assistance. There are some remnants of old lock/dam structures, and some of these have debris and rocks that need to be negotiated carefully. Camping -- There is little or no public land along the river -- all the land is in private ownership, and it is mostly agricultural. Under Indiana law, the riverbed up to the bank is considered public land, so camping on islands, sandbars and low banks is customary. Because of the silty nature of the water (due in some part to agricultural runoff and soil erosion), many banks and landings will be muddy, and good primitive campsites may be scarce in some areas. There are several private campgrounds and public parks along the way. Additional Information:
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