Reviews: Columbus Oxbow

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Holding:
4.50
Good, Mud
Wind Protection:
4.50
All around
Current Flow:
4.00
Wake Protection:
5.00
All around
Scenic Beauty:
3.50
Ease of Shopping:
3.00
Shore Access:
4.00
Pet Friendly:
4.00
Cell Service:
3.00

  • Review for Columbus Oxbow

    Reviewed by: Lane Devries on Nov 22, 2024
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 45'
    Draft: 4.2'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    3

    We stopped short of the railroad bridge, just past the last of the barge operations, to anchor in about 10 feet of water. A flotilla of 10 boats were locking all day, slowing the travel speed, so unfortunately we came in at dark and disappointingly were unable to enjoy Columbus (Gin Ivory's review really made us want to experience it too!). The anchorage wasn't horrible, but it was fairly narrow where we dropped the hook, hence the lower rating on this anchorage. The other review is correct on entering from the south.

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  • Review for Columbus Oxbow

    Reviewed by: Gin Ivory on Nov 2, 2024
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4

    I can't speak to anchoring here - yet- but I did grow up exactly here. The railroad trestle was my stomping ground. It's quite scenic. And jumping off it was a rite of passage for those who dared. ( It's at least 70ft high) The Tenn-Tom cut came when I was about 13. Where Capt Mac describes to dingy and walk I highly recommend to history buffs. Columbus was used as a hospital for the Confederacy AND the Union during the Civil War and therefore was not destroyed. 100s of antebellum homes still exist just blocks away from the city park landing. Walk down 2nd St Street South to about 6th avenue. Prepare to be amazed. (The visitor center - Tennessee Williams birthplace is also within a couple blocks).

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  • Review for Columbus Oxbow

    Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Oct 20, 2021
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    5
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    5
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    4
    Cell Service:
    3

    The Columbus Cutoff is an oxbow off the main channel with entrances at the north and south end. The entrance at the north has shoaled in and is not usable so, in order to get into this interesting anchorage you must go south to mile marker 329.2 and exit the channel towards LDB and go back up the cutoff channel with a minimum of 11 feet of water all the way up to the upper bridges to the island, a distance of about two miles. On the way up you will pass several active barge facilities on the island side and what looks like forest on the shore side. Continue on past the last of the barge operations and go under a railroad bridge and the two bridges at the top of the island using the shore side arch on the first bridge and the middle arch of the road bridge for anchoring between 15 and 25 feet of water. You might consider stopping between the last barge operations area and the railroad bridge for 10 feet of water and good holding but a further distance to the town landing. Good water continues up the channel almost all the way to the north entrance. The problem with the anchorage is that there is too much depth in most places for necessary swing room with normal scope. There are only a few places where the mid-channel depth is under 15 feet so seek them out. Wind, wave, and wake protection is excellent. Holding is good in mud but swing room is restricted and what little current there may be is not enough to hold you straight in the channel with contrary winds. Consider short scope with a heavy anchor or a stern anchor to keep you oriented in the channel. Cellular service adequate with 2 bars for ATT and Verizon and one bar 5G for T-Mobile.

    You are now anchored in Downtown Columbus, Mississippi. Go to shore at the public dock just south of the anchorage on the shore side and go one block up the River Walk trail into downtown Columbus. There are a half dozen restaurants within four blocks of the park. There does not seem to be any grocery stores within easy walking distance.

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