Kayaking the Cahaba River - A Journey Among the Lilies

We had a blast exploring the Cahaba River near West Blocton, AL. May 20th is typically the peek blooming of the Cahaba lilies and they did not disappoint. We put in at the first boat ramp on the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and paddled down to CR26 Bridge - River Bend Rd at the Pratt’s Ferry Preserve. The total trip was 6.6 miles. I would say per the water level and researching the river ideal water level would be a little over 1100CFS, around 3ft. Our level in the video is 2.67 ft / 921 cfs. Just an FYI above 2000 CFS the lilies would be covered up. I will put a link to the Alabama Whitewater Flow Page below where you can read up more on this particular stretch of water. If you would like to see the lilies without boating to them at the end of River Trace (the road into the Refuge) there is a trail across Caffee Creek that will take you down to Hargrove Shoals where the biggest batch of Cahaba Lilies can be found.
Description of this paddle: alabamawhitewat...
Alabama Whitewater Flow Page to check water level - CahabaHrgrv: flowpage.alabam...
Cahaba River Society: cahabariversoc...
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge: www.fws.gov/re...

[@jasonlawrence8238]

Nicely done!

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

Thanks Jason!!!

[@WVWes]

Beautiful little river! Good video! Keep em coming!

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

Thanks for always tuning in Wes and your continued encouragement! 💙 💚

[@robynbaker1098]

Catawba River has an amazing display of The Rocky Shoal Spider Lillie's.I have gone three years in a row it's is so worth kayaking through .

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

We will have to check that out sometime!!! They are such a beautiful marvel of nature.

[@robynbaker1098]

@@elevatedlifeadventures look up Landsford Canal State Park in Fort Mill SC I think the blooms are around the same time as in Alabama.

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

We will def check that out! Sorry I just saw this!

[@Yak_Mafia]

Very nice 🤙😎

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

Thank you!!! 🤙🏼 🤩

[@wood2be]

Is there a shuttle service available for this float?

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

The Cahaba River Society sometimes does guided floats but unfortunately there is not an outfitter located here. We have to run our own shuttle. cahabariversociety.org

[@johnnyadkins8216]

Awesome video ladies, looked like a very relaxing and chill day

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

Thanks Johnny! It was a blast! 🤩🤩

[@janiebug5251]

Awesome video. Well done!❤

[@elevatedlifeadventures]

Thank you so much!!!