Niangua River - Mile-By-Mile Description - map
0.0 State Hwy. 32 Bridge.
1.3 Big John Access. Low-water bridge. Good canoe/kayak access. Off Hwy. 32 and County Road 32-79 to County Road K-161.
3.4 Greasy Creek on left. Lower few miles sometimes floatable.
3.9 River divides. Left channel shatter, but inspect.
4.8 Watermill Bridge, offHwy. DO.
8.4 Durington Creek on left.
12.2 Williams Ford Access, off MM, to County Road MM-123 to County Road K-143. Poor canoe/kayak access due to high embankment.
13.9 Indian Creek on left.
16.2 Hwy. K-P Bridge. Fourmile Creek on right.
20.1 Cave Creek on right.
22.3 Moon Valley Access, on County Road 00-126. Gravel ramp.
23.8 Fort Niangua private access and campground on left.
26.5 Cat Hollow on left.
29.0 Spring branch on left.
29.5 Bennett Spring Branch on right. No access. Outfitters are available, adjacent to the park. The spring, 1.5 miles up the branch, is sixth largest in the state. A large trout harchety provides fishing for rainbows. Daily trout tag required.
29.8 Hwy. 64 Bridge. Spring branch on left. No access.
30.2 Bennett Spring Access on left off Hwy. 64.
30.5 Danceyard Creek on right.
35.0 For next two miles there are several private accesses and campgrounds on left.
36.2 Spring branch on right. River turns abruptly left along bluff.
36.5 Barclay Conservation Area and access, on left, off Hwy. 64 and County Road 64-152.
37.5 Prater Spring Branch on left. Spring 0.4 mile up branch.
38.0 Low Gap. Fast rocky riffle area.
38.2 Ho Humm private access and campground.
38.3 Old bridge piers.
40.0 Gilbettson Ford. No access.
40.8 Mountain Creek on right. Prosperine Access, ar mouth of creek on County Road AA-980. Gravel bar. Private campground next to access. Good swimming hole just upstream from mouth of creek. Rocky riffle below mouth of creek.
42.0 Indian Grave Point on right.
44.0 Guthrie Bluff on right.
44.9 Oldhams private access.
47.4 Smith Ford. No access.
48.0 Blue Spring (also called Big Blue Spring) on right. A canoe can be paddled 200 feet up the branch to the spring. Private resort.
50.7 Mint Spring branch on left. 53.9 Jakes Creek on left. Leadmine Conservation Area. Poor canoe/kayak access due to embankment.
54.3 Herrick Ford Access. No ford here, but old mill dam site produces a fast shoot. Gravel bar provides good access.
56.1 Berry Bluff Conservation Area and access on right. Mill Creek on left.
57.1 Berty Bluff, on right, patticularly beautiful in fall colors.
59.1 AB Creek on left.
61.1 Chapel Bluff, on left, is mostly unwooded.
61.9 Lake Niangua backs water to this point.
63.3 Woolsey (Wilsey) Creek on right. Private access road at creek mouth.
63.8 Private access on left.
65.3 Private cabins on east side oflake.
66.0 Tunnel Dam. Public access and boat ramp on west side. However, there is often no water running in the river beteeen the dam and power house, a distance of about 6 miles. At the dam it is only 0.2 mile across the ridge to the other end of this river meander, but it is no place to portage. End trip here unless water is flowing below the dam. The power house is located on the notth side of the ridge because the original tailrace used a cave that perforated the ridge. It is now replaced by an artificial tunnel.
If the "dry channel" section is floatable, the following distances apply:
68.0 Ford (slab). South of Edith off Hwy. U. Good access.
72.2 Power house on right. Powerline. Area dangerous when water is coming through turbines. Use caution.
73.5 Power line crossing.
74.7 Rodger Ford may be reached from both north and south sides. No crossing here.
77.0 Lake of the Ozarks may back water to this point.
79.5 Access near mouth of Bank Branch, reached by paddling along right shore of lake.
Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery - map
Driving Directions
Inside Bennett Spring State Park 12 miles west of Lebanon on Hwy 64.
Highlights
The park contains a stretch of the Niangua River and Bennett Spring Branch. Facilities include hiking trails, picnic areas, a nature center, overnight lodging, a restaurant, primitive and improved camping areas, hatchery tours, and a bait-and-tackle shop.
About This Area
In 1924 and 1925, the Missouri State Park system purchased 573 acres of land, including Bennett Spring and the hatchery.
This area formed the nucleus of today's Bennett Spring State Park. The area had been known as Brice, Missouri and was a place where farmers could have their grain milled.
While waiting for the mill to grind their grain the families would enjoy the natural beauty of the spring and fish in the cold, clear stream.
Around 1900 the Neosho National Fish Hatchery stocked Bennett Spring with rainbow trout. This stocking proved to be so popular with customers that a hatchery was built to maintain the fishery.
The goal of providing a quality outdoor experience for customers was the driving force then, just as it is today. The hatchery now provides approximately 400,000 rainbow trout to anglers each year.
A small number of brown trout are also stocked. These fish are stocked from March through October on a nightly basis in Bennett Spring State Park.
Downstream, the Niangua River also receives monthly commitments of trout year-round. These 2 areas can be accessed by driving west on Highway 64 approximately 12 miles from Lebanon, Missouri.
Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and many outdoor activities today just as they did at the turn of the last century.
General Information
Southwest
Laclede,Dallas
417-532-4418
Leased
Excellent trout fishing opportunties are available in Bennett Spring Branch. Bennett Spring State Park provides camping, cabins, trails, a nature center, restaurant, store, restrooms, picnic tables, playground, etc. within the state park. Call 417-532-4338 for more information.
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Fishing - Trout |
Good population. Nearby Bennett Spring Branch is stocked daily March - October. Catch and release November - February. |
| Other |
Bennett Spring State Park provides camping, cabins, trails, a nature center, restaurant, store, restrooms, picnic tables, playground, etc. within the state park. Call 417-532-4338 for more information. |
| Tours |
Hatchery tours are given. Call for scheduling (417-532-4418). |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Fish Hatcheryaccessible |
|
1 |
|
| Fishing Jetty/Platformaccessible |
|
3 |
There are disabled fishing jetties several places in the Spring Branch. The park is ADA compliant. |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
1 |
|
| Staffed Office |
|
1 |
Department of Conservation office and hatchery buildings are located on the area. Missouri Department of Natural Resources offices are located nearby. |
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Spring |
Bennett Spring |
1 |
65000000.00 # gallons per day |
Bennett Spring is one of Missouri's largest springs and provides adequate flows in Bennett Spring Branch to support an excellent trout fishery. |
| Stream - Permanent |
Bennett Spring Branch |
1 |
2.00 miles |
Nearby Bennett Spring Branch is stocked daily March - October. Catch and release November - February. |
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Other |
7.50 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
40.00 |
|
Prosperine Access - map
Driving Directions
Prosperine Access is 2 miles west of Lebanon on Highway 64 to Route AA. Take AA until the blacktop ends. Turn left 4.5 miles on Kinfolk Road and watch for cantilever sign.
Highlights
This forest area offers access to the Niangua River.
General Information
Southwest
Laclede
417-532-7612
Owned by MDC
Area Subject to Flash Flooding
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Good population. Suckers |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Trout |
Good population. White Ribbon Trout Area. See regulations. |
| Trapping with Special Use Permit |
Special Use Permit Required |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Other |
|
1 |
Gravel bar only. |
| Parking Lot |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Intermittent |
Mountain Creek |
1 |
0.25 miles |
|
| Stream - Permanent |
Niangua River |
1 |
0.25 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
7.00 |
|
| Old Field |
1.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
7.50 |
|