Arkansas Float Kit

THE ARKANSAS FLOAT KIT

Produced by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers Commission ... hosted here by arkoutdoors

INTRODUCTION

Arkansas has more than 9,000 miles of streams, and a good deal of this mileage is perfect for floating, be it by canoe, johnboat; or raft. The variety of enjoyable experiences provided by this assortment of rivers is remarkably wide-ranging: from matchless trout fishing trips, to rugged whitewater runs, to peaceful passages ideal for first- timers. The streams of Arkansas are, in a word, inviting.

Introductions to 17 of the Natural State's favorite waterways are found in this "floater's kit." Seasons, access points, fishing tips, and basic characteristics of the rivers are included along with locator maps. What the reader won't find are mile-by-mile descriptions of the streams; these details are for you to discover!

First, though, 10 important reminders:

Wear those life jackets.
Take along a spare paddle.
Pay attention to local weather forecasts
Dress appropriately for the season.
Don't travel alone.
Avoid camping in areas subject to sudden rises.
Know your ability and don't exceed it.
Refrain from drinking creek or river water no matter how clean it appears.
Carry out whatever you carry in.
Should you capsize, try to stay with your boat and swim it to shore, making certain that you're on the upstream side of the craft to avoid getting pinned between it and rocks or willows.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

River maps

Several of the stream write-ups in the "Floater s Kit" recommend the purchase of "general highway maps" for particular counties. These can be obtained, at a cost of $1.10 per county (postpaid), from:

Map Sales, Room 203
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
P.O.Box 2261
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203

For a more detailed look at the land, refer to topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey. These are available at a cost of $2.50 each (plus postage and handling charges), but first write for a free "Index to Topographic Maps for Arkansas" from:

Arkansas Geological Commission
Map and Publication Sales
3815 West Roosevelt Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204.

Degree of Difficulty: Classes I-VI

The narratives also occasionally refer to class ratings for the streams, based on an international scale of six levels of difficulty:

Class I: EASY.
Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Correct course is easy to de- termine.
Class II: MEDIUM.
Fairly frequent, but unobstructed rapids. Course generally easy to recognize. Some maneuvering is required.
Class III: DIFFICULT.
Numerous rapids with high and irregular waves. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. Course not always easily recognizable .
Class IV: VERY DIFFICULT.
Long rapids characterized by high and irregular waves with boulders directly in swift current. Course often difficult to recognize requiring some scouting from bank.
Class V: EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT.
Continuous rocky rapids with high and irregular broken water which cannot be avoided. Extremely fast flow, abrupt bends, and strong cross currents. Difficult rescue conditions. Frequent inspections from bank necessary.
Class VI: LIMIT OF NAVIGABILITY.
Class V difficulties increased to the upper limits of skill and equipment. Extremely dangerous. Only for teams of experts.

Additional Information

Many of the streams mentioned in this collection flow through or near Arkansas's two national forests the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Both offer superb hiking, camping, and hunting opportunities in addition to their river recreation possibilities. For more information, write:

Forest Supervisor
Ouachita National Forest
P.O. Box 1270
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902
Forest Supervisor
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
P.O. Box 1008
Russellville, Arkansas 72801

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is the agency charged with managing the state's wildlife resources. It has established a fine network of hatcheries, public fishing lakes, and wildlife management areas. More information, including order forms for hunting and fishing licenses, may be obtained by writing:

Information and Education Division
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism manages the state park system, produces the Arkansas Vacation Kit, and houses the Arkansas Trails Council. For details on these or similar topics, write:

Director, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

In 1979 the legislature established the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers Commission, a body charged with developing a system to protect "natural beauty along certain rivers of the state." For more information on the Commission and its activities, write:

Director, Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers Commission
c/o Department of Arkansas Heritage
Heritage Center East, Suite 200
225 East Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Rivers are special.

They always have been; always will be we hope.

The truth is, though, that the future of our rivers is anything but guaranteed. The only sure bet is that those we still have will become even more precious as time goes by.

The major threat to the streams of Arkansas are projects projects for water supplies, flood control, hydro-power, dredging, and channelization. While the heyday of these developments seems to have peaked, several more major impoundments and stream re-alignments are already on the drawing boards. Even in cases where some public use is served, these projects each remove another free-floating stream from a steadily shrinking list.

But dams and dredges are not the only threats facing river recreation. Recreationists themselves often create problems by littering, trespassing, leaving gates open, or even damaging property. Since most riparian land remains in private ownership, these actions only serve to create additional conflicts between river users and landowners. Property owners feel compelled to post their lands, thereby reducing floaters' access to streams and rivers. Everybody stands to lose.

The problems of river recreation will not be answered overnight. What will help is the realization that rivers are critical to the Arkansas way of life, and that their values are indeed fragile. If floaters don't do their part in developing a river ethic for the state, it won't get done. And, our rivers, as we know them now, won't be special; they'll be gone.