Introduction
Paddling the Neches
Paddling the Neches is a collection of my thoughts and experiences paddling along the Neches River in Southeast Texas. It is intended to provide the recreational paddler information that will be helpful in planning and participating in paddles along this fascinating river.
As the River changes daily, so does the information regarding access points and facilities, so please remember that the information provided is accurate based on my experience over the past few years, but you should always check with local authorities for current information.
Some History
The Neches River flows about 260 miles through the pine forests and cypress swamps of Southeast Texas as it makes it way toward Sabine Lake and finally into the Gulf of Mexico. The river originates east of Colfax in Van Zandt County and travels a total of about 416 miles to the gulf.
The Neches River gained its name from the Spanish who took the name from the Caddo Word "Nachawi" meaning "wood of the bow," bois d'arc trees that grew along its banks. The Hasinai tribe called the river Snow River as recorded by Alonso de Leon's visit to the region in 1689. This name came from the white, snow-like appearance of the sandbars along the upper portions of the river.
The river was the "superhighway" for early settlers to the area. The ability to navigate up and down the river spurred settlements near its banks along with the existing Native Americans interspersed along its banks. About 1846, steamboats appeared and further accelerated the settlement of the area and carried goods to market spurring the economic development of the cotton and forest industries. This cultural heritage remains an important part of the development along the river today.
Remnants of flatboats and keelboats, river ferries, and docks remain along the river along with commercial development with major ships traveling the river up to Beaumont, Texas. Pumping plants deliver water to cities and irrigation canals. A channel of the river intersects the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway enabling Beaumont and Port Arthur to remain active ports.
Entering a cypress swamp along the Neches traveling from Cooks Lake to Scatterman Lake.
