Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River

A fun, wide river, the Mulberry is probably the most popular play river in the state. Several surfing waves and holes occur throughout the run. Lunch Stop Rapid has a wave that simply gets bigger as the water gets higher. 5-0 wave is well known as a park and play spot at the Birmingham Canoe Club (BCC) take-out. If you do the whole run, don't miss the glassy front surfing waves higher up 5-0 rapid. The Mulberry is suitable for anyone with a prior introduction to whitewater paddling, or beginners below about 2' on the paddler’s gage.

The old Hwy 31 bridge in Garden City just upstream (east) of the Hwy 31 bridge now in use serves as the put-in. The paddler's gage is painted on a bridge piling at the put-in. It reads 3.3' lower than the USGS Garden City Gage. Look for levels from 1.5' – 4' on the paddler's gage (3.8' to 7.3' on the USGS Internet gage) for optimal playboating. The BCC take-out is on a lot in Whitewater Bend. 5-0 Rapid hosts the main event of the Alabama Cup whitewater slalom series each year the first weekend in March. Race spectator and participant access is on the north side of the river.