It would help to know which Buffalo River you’re asking about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_National_River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_River_(New_York)

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/buffalo_river/index.html

I presume, though, that you’re asking about the Arkansa Buffalo .. ” The upper section of the river in the Ozark National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service ,…” so the Service might be a good source for information on the river.

Bob I have paddled the Buff in AR three times in the spring. Usually I have to wait for the flood to abate and the river open at Ponca. She goes up quick and down quick.  Someday I would really like to paddle it when its calm enough to have blue and not brown water.

If you are wanting to do Ponca to White River ( I have never done the Boxley section) you should be able to make the 130 miles in 5 days,  I have done that the three times and without hard paddling.

You might want to have your moving water skills up to date as there is considerable maneuvering in the Ponca-Erbie section. Grey Rocks has always given me some high standing waves though there is a sneak route on the left.

Down towards the Nars and Woolum is a section with some whirlpools that may try to throw you against cliffs.

Willows are to be avoided..in the spring they sprout up everywhere. If you are going to hit them head on is best.

We did one tandem trip and had to backpaddle to do the Ponca- Maumee North section in four days. We were often done paddling our alloted 25 miles in four hours. We started out at flat out dragging and a torrential storm hit that night and then it was a wild ride.

Watch the Hasty Low River Crossing. Its always been a low head dam for me and for some reason a surprise.

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=buff&parkname=Buffalo%20National%20River

National Geographic makes waterproof maps  for the Buffalo. East section on one and West on another,