Locust Fork of the Black Warrior
🏔 Scenic River
Blount Co. · 30 mi · Class II–IV
206CFS/ 3.80 ft
Below Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 500–3000 CFS · USGS #02450000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
30 mi
Length
Class II–IV
Difficulty
500–3000 cfs
Optimal
1,400 cfs
Avg Flow
1,260 cfs
Hist. Median
#02450000
USGS Gauge
Alabama Scenic River · Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership

Birmingham's backyard whitewater — 30 miles of Class II–IV rapids through sandstone gorges in Blount County. The Locust Fork delivers genuine Appalachian whitewater just 45 minutes from downtown Birmingham, with continuous rapids and dramatic bluff scenery.

Trip sections
Upper — Powell Falls to Swann Bridge, Class II–III
Middle — Swann Bridge to Nectar, Class III–IV gorge
Lower — Nectar to Cleveland, Class II, mellowing out
Outfitters
Swann Bridge Canoe Launch
Put-in access and informal shuttles, Cleveland AL
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.