Jacks Fork is one of two rivers in

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

that are part of the

Ozark National Scenic Riverways The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a recreational unit of the National Park Service in the Ozarks of southern Missouri in the U.S. The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1964 to protect the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, and it was fo ...

system. Starting in

Texas County, Missouri Texas County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,487. Its county seat is Houston. The county was organized in 1843 as Ashley County, changing its name in 1845 t ...

, this spring-fed river flows in a general east to northeasterly direction through the heart of the geological area known as the Lower Ozark Natural Division. It is the major tributary of the Current River, ending at its

confluence In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. A confluence can occur in several configurations: at the point where a tributary joins a larger river (main stem); o ...

near

Eminence, Missouri Eminence is a city in Shannon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 515 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Shannon County. History A post office called Eminence has been in operation since 1844. According to one account, ...

. At this location, its mean annual discharge is 478 cubic feet per second. The first from the Prongs to Bay Creek is deep valley and in the springtime provides Class II water. Due to lack of access, it is the most primitive of the rivers in the region. From Alley Spring to its confluence with the Current River it is a Class I River and is floatable year round with warm water. The Jacks Fork provides some of the most natural conditions in the region with many caves and natural springs. It is a popular recreation destination for canoeists and kayakers and is generally considered a Class I-II difficulty river. Jacks Fork has the name of John Jacks, a local Indian pioneer citizen.

Location

;Mouth:

Confluence In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. A confluence can occur in several configurations: at the point where a tributary joins a larger river (main stem); o ...

with the Current River,

Shannon County, Missouri Shannon County is a county in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,031. Its county seat is Eminence. The county was officially organized on January 29, 1841, and was named in honor of ...

: ;Source: Confluence of the North Prong and South Prong,

References

{{authority control Rivers of Missouri Bodies of water of the Ozarks Tributaries of the Current River (Ozarks) Rivers of Texas County, Missouri Rivers of Shannon County, Missouri