See all 4 routes on James River
Missouri | Southwest Missouri
James RiverH.L. Kerr Access to Ralph Cox Memorial Access
Short Galena-area James River float from MDC H.L. Kerr Access to MDC Ralph Cox Memorial Access near the Y-Bridge, using the direct Galena gauge as a conservative low-water check.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
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.
Access map
Put-in
H.L. Kerr AccessH.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.
Take-out
Ralph Cox Memorial AccessBoth endpoints prohibit camping, and MDC rules prohibit leaving boats unattended overnight on department areas.
Road 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.
Additional access notes
- 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.
More route and safety guidance
- Watch for bridge debris, floating wood, private banks, and awkward landings near the Y-Bridge corridor.
- Confirm both MDC accesses, weather, rising-water conditions, and a safe shuttle before launch.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
James River at Galena, MO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | James River at Galena, MO |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rivers.MOHERP Galena gauge trip evidence for Kerr to Cox |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Public put-inMDC 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.
- Public take-outMDC 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.
- Route shapeKerr 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.
- Route-specific trip evidenceKerr 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.
- Low-water floor200 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.
- Live gaugeUSGS 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.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on James River
All 4Nearby routes within 75 miles
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