Cossatot River
Polk Co. · 15 mi · Class III–V
64.9CFS/ 2.54 ft
Below Optimal
→Stable
Water temp: 64°F
Optimal: 300–2,000 CFS · USGS #07340300
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
15 mi
Length
Class III–V
Difficulty
300–2,000 cfs
Optimal
520 cfs
Avg Flow
468 cfs
Hist. Median
#07340300
USGS Gauge
Cossatot River State Park — Natural Area · Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

Arkansas's premier whitewater — the Cossatot drops through the Ouachita Mountains in a series of continuous Class IV–V boulder gardens and ledge drops. The name comes from a French corruption of a Caddo phrase meaning 'skull crusher.' Cossatot Falls, a 15-foot ledge drop into a violent hydraulic, is the most feared rapid in the state. Rain-dependent and remote, the Cossatot rewards those who chase it with some of the best technical whitewater in the South.

Trip sections
Cossatot Falls section — 4 mi, Class IV–V, expert only
Sandbar to Ed Banks — 5 mi, Class III–IV
Upper Cossatot — above falls, Class II–III warm-up
Outfitters
Cossatot River State Park — Natural Area
River access, camping, and trail information
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.