Huzzah River Information

HUZZAH RIVER
Leasburg, Steelville, MO.

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Huzzah River is a part of the MERAMEC RIVER watershed, click HERE to go to the MDC Meramec River pages of watershed descriptions, features and statistics.

MDC HUZZAH CREEK Mile by Mile Map
from Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association.

Click HERE to go to the Meramec River Home
"Meramec Tributaries" page.

EPA Meramec River Watershed Profile

The cold, crystal clear waters of the Huzzah River offer some of the finest floating-fishing-swimming and natural environments. The Huzzah River channel is somewhat smaller and shallower than the Meramec, and as water levels recede in mid to late summer even canoes may occasionally drag bottom. But, there is still safe navigable passage, the water quality is unsurpassed, and during times of excessive rains and high water the Huzzah River recedes to safe floating levels much faster than the Meramec and can provide an enjoyable, comparable option at times that the Meramec is unfloatable. For those who prefer a challenging, more exciting float, the Huzzah during slightly or moderately high water can most surely provide them with their needed adrenaline fix.
As tributaries of the Meramec, the history of the Huzzah & Courtois Rivers parallels that of the Meramec in many respects, and they may all be considered as part of the same overall water course. An Iron works operated on the Huzzah near Scotia around the mid-1800’s, grist mills operated at various locations, and railroad ties were hacked from the surrounding wilderness and (during high water) floated down to the Meramec and the nearest railroad connection. For those who would like to witness a bit of Huzzah antiquity firsthand, there is The Dillard Mill State Historic Site (near Davisville). The gristmill has been restored to operational order, and guided tours are available free of charge - call 573-244-3120 for more information.
The headwaters of the Huzzah River are the East Fork and West Fork Creeks of Dent county, and the Crooked Creek of Iron county. The East and West Forks converge near the Dent-Crawford county line, about another mile into Crawford County the Crooked Creek joins the flow, and the Huzzah is born. Through twists and turns the Huzzah takes a generally northern (approx.40 mile) course to its confluence with the Meramec (note: some maps include the East Fork Creek as part of the Huzzah which may add approx. 10 miles to the previously mentioned length). About 1/4 mile before the bridge at Scotia, the Huzzah accepts the cold crystal clear waters of the Courtois River (on the right). After the merge, their combined flow takes a northwestern course for 1.5 miles before emptying into the Meramec. The short run of the course of both of these streams may at first imply an unlikelihood of high-order recreation potential, but in reality these rivers offer some of the finest fishing, floating, and swimming fun that exists anywhere, and they should not be overlooked.
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