Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River

The Locust is the touchtone whitewater run in Alabama. If you live in Alabama, chances are very good that you have run the Locust. It is an excellent learning river, suitable for novices just finding their balance and intermediates honing their skills. The Locust is a drop / pool river with plenty of room between rapids. It has reliable water levels most years from December until April or May. The Locust is comparable to the Nantahala in North Carolina in difficulty, though no rapids are as hard as Nantahala Falls. Some of the better known rapids are Double Trouble and Powell Falls. Added bonuses include paddling under one of the few remaining covered bridges in Alabama at Swann Bridge, and a play hole just below Scirum Bluff. This hole was the scene of the inaugural North Alabama Whitewater Festival rodeo competition in March 2005.