Mountain Fork River Rapids

The Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Lake offers some of Oklahoma's best-known moving-water recreation. Releases from the dam create stretches of clear, cool water with riffles and rapids that attract kayakers, canoeists, anglers and floaters. The river's character changes depending on flow. Some sections are gentle enough for relaxed paddling, while others require more boat control and awareness of rocks, current and strainers. Water released from the depths of the reservoir can remain cold even when summer air temperatures are high. Scenery is a major part of the experience. Forested banks, rocky channels and the broader Ouachita foothills give the river a distinctly southeastern Oklahoma feel. Anyone planning to paddle should check current release schedules and water conditions, because the same reach can behave very differently at different flows. The Mountain Fork is especially rewarding when combined with Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake, creating a trip that includes both reservoir scenery and a free-flowing river environment.