From its headwaters south of the Big Fork community to the backwaters of Lake Greeson, the Little Missouri River descends some 1,035 feet. For the 29 mile journey, that's an average drop of 35 feet per mile, and that means one thing - whitewater.
But the stream offers more than excitement, although it has plenty of that. It also provides a solid introduction to the Ouachita Mountain country of southwest Arkansas Pine-covered ridges tower hundreds of feet above the rocky channel. In several places the Little Missouri has cut through the twisted rock layers that are the very essence of the Ouachitas. It is, in short an interesting stream.
Headwaters area to Lake Greeson, a total of 29 miles.
The stream's first section - from its source to the Albert Pike Campground - is not one for floating. This upper stretch has its merits, however. A chief attraction is the Little Missouri Falls area which has been developed for day-use activities (i.e., no camping) by the Ouachita National Forest. While there are no developed facilities between the falls and Albert Pike, the river corridor offers possibilities for all kinds of outdoor pursuits - swimming in deep pools, hiking along the streambank, and wildlife photography, just to name a few.
The Albert Pike Campground to Arkansas 84 run is one of the best in the state. It begins on national forest property near the junction of Forest Roads 73 and 106, and continues for about 8.5 rough-and tumble miles This stretch of the river heads downhill at a good clip - 25 feet per mile. The rapids are exciting (up to class IV in high water), with many featuring standing waves at their bases. Along the way floaters will pass the mouth of Greasy Creek, near which Albert Pike - the famed pioneer lawyer, general, and poet - once lived in a well-appointed cabin. More noticeable will be Winding Stair Rapid, a series of drops that may well put water into one's boat. The rapid - which is approximately three miles below the put-in - can, and should, be scouted from the left (east) bank; heavy flows can put it in the class IV level. The remainder of the float features numerous rapids in the class I class III categories, including a diagonally-running ledge about a quarter mile below Winding Stair that can be tricky.
While the Arkansas 84 to Lake Greeson section doesn't require the technical paddling skills of the upper section, it, too offers gunnel-grabbing excitement. Its claim to fame is standing waves - some of the biggest in the state when the water is up. The floating distance is 10-11 miles.
The Little Missouri River is among the most seasonal of Arkansas streams, primarily because of its small watershed. It's "floatable" only after periods of considerable rainfall, and even then the stream may not stay navigable for long. The wet months of spring offer the best chances for catching it at a good level. An old low- water bridge just below the Arkansas 84 bridge offers a primitive but acceptable gauging system: one to two feet of water over the slab means that conditions are desirable.
The stream's major access points are: the Albert Pike Campground area at Forest Road 106 north of Langley; the Arkansas 84 bridge west of Langley; and the U.S. 70 bridge at the Star of the West area on Lake Greeson. All roads are paved with the exception of those in the Ouachita National Forest .
It doesn't take a geologist to note some differences between the Ouachita mountains and the Ozarks. Floaters can pick up on them too. Bluffs, which are common on many Ozark rivers, are unusual in the Ouachitas. Unlike the flat-topped mountains found in the northern parts of the state, steep ridges - many of them the hogback variety - are the rule in the Ouachitas.
And where streams have worked their way through these ridgelines, they've exposed upturned rock strata whose rough, jagged edges are unlike anything in the Ozarks. Floaters beware! In short the Ouachitas are no less scenic than their sister mountains to the north; they're just built differently.
Finally, the Arkansas General Assembly has even recognized the beauty of the Little Missouri River. In 1985 the legislature passed an act placing this 29-mile stretch into the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System - one of only four such designations
Like many of Arkansas's other mountain streams, the Little Missouri harbors small- mouth bass, spotted bass, green sunfish and longears which may be taken year-round. White bass are also present in the headwa- ters of Lake Greeson during the spring spawning run
The Little Missouri seldom comes to mind when the state's great trout streams are mentioned. However, thousands of rainbow trout are stocked in the stream both above and below Lake Greeson. Providing exciting sport for trout enthusiasts.
The lower Little Missouri (below Nar- rows Dam) differs from other Arkansas trout streams in what it is primarily a coldweather fishery. When there is no demand for electricity, the flow from Narrows Dam is cut to a mere 15 cubic feet per second, which isn't sufficient to sustain lower water temperatures required by trout. As a result, the trout season here runs from early December (when the Game and Fish Commission begins its annual stocking Program on she river) to Memorial Day or thereabouts.
Stocking is finished by early April each year, and by late May, fishing pressure and rising water temperatures have just about wiped out the trout. Few fish manage to survive through the summer, but the lower Little Missouri offers excellent fishing for about five months each year for trout in the one-half to three-quarter pound range, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Rainbow trout can be caught in the river above Lake Greeson, especially near the Albert Pike area, year-round .
In addition to the public campsites (Albert Pike) there's a privately operated campground just across the river (east side). This operation also features rental cabins, a gro cery store/snack bar, and gasoline. Other services are available at the nearby towns of Langley, Kirby, and Daisy. Several public campgrounds can be found on Lake Greeson, including one - Star of the West - at the take-out point for the lower float.
Few people realize that much of the Little Missouri River and the surrounding landscape nearly became a national park back in the late 1920s early 1930s. Only a last minute veto by then-President Calvin Coo- lidge prevented establishment of the 165,00 acre Ouachita National Park.
The Little Missouri River can also be floated below Lake Greeson, and is popular with trout fishermen for the first half dozen miles below the dam.
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ARKANSAS RIVERS & CREEKS
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