Data Disclaimer: Water level data is provided by USGS and NOAA for informational purposes only. Verify conditions on-site before any water activities.
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H.L. Kerr Access is a Missouri Department of Conservation facility located in Galena, Stone County, offering a boat ramp for launching onto the James River. The site is accessed via Highway 176 (5.5 miles west of Highway 160), then north on Horse Creek Road. Amenities include free parking, a boat ramp, picnic tables, and wheelchair accessibility. Day use only is permitted at this location.
The James River at this access point is a substantial waterway—a Class 7 stream with an average flow of 668 cubic feet per second and a gentle gradient of approximately 1 foot per mile. Paddlers can expect moderate current conditions typical of this large river system. The relatively low gradient makes this section suitable for various skill levels, though paddlers should be prepared for Class 7 river dynamics and plan accordingly. This access point is ideal for launching canoes and kayaks for downstream paddling trips on the James River.