It’s an idyllic scene (and nostalgic, given the breakdancing) with one glaring problem: Our river isn’t fit for swimming. The Arkansas River is contaminated with sediment, fertilizers and other pollutants, primarily due to stormwater runoff.
Can you swim in the Arkansas River?
During high-water periods, you can still sail through the Arkansas rivers, as well as hike, swim and camp nearby. Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse a bald eagle soaring above one of our scenic Arkansas rivers.
How deep is the Arkansas River in Wichita?
The specifications for the channel itself are as follows: Depth of channel: 9 feet (2.7 m) or more. Width of channel: mostly 250 ft (76 m). – 300 ft (91 m).
Why is the Arkansas River so dirty?
Backup from storm water drainage and wastewater treatment systems caused untreated water to flow into the river. Abandoned well sites and a tank farm leached pollution into the Arkansas. In addition to pollution concerns, there were physical obstacles in the usually shallow river that made it unsafe to be in.
Can you fish in the Arkansas River in Wichita Kansas?
Little Arkansas River is a stream near Wichita. The most popular species caught here are Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and Common carp. 492 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations.
How deep is the Spring river in Arkansas?
22.29 feet
Heavy rainfall rates caused the river to over flow its banks with an observed maximum depth of 22.29 feet (6.79 m).
Can you boat on the Arkansas River?
No motorized watercraft (boats, jetskies) is allowed on the river. Riding on an elevated deck. Riding or operating a boat on the Big Arkansas while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Is the Arkansas River Drying Up?
Drought Brings Misery To Arkansas River Basin Drought conditions in the Midwest are drying up the Arkansas River basin. Shrinking water levels are ravaging crops, sapping tourism and threatening drinking water supplies in the Rocky Mountains.
What animals are in the Arkansas River?
Glorious bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and ospreys are some of the most common birds you’ll see over the river. They hover high above the swiftly flowing water, searching for trout and small mammals to fill their bellies.
Who owns the Arkansas River?
The Arkansas-Oklahoma River Compact Commission Oklahoma has since regulated the agreement. In 1970 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw owned the Arkansas riverbed and banks from the Three Forks Area to Fort Smith.
Is the Arkansas River safe to drink?
Levels there have tested high at times. Research done by FOX23 shows that some creeks that flow into the Arkansas River are full of E. coli. Some are so bad that they’re highlighted in red on the Department of Environmental Quality’s list of impaired waters.
Where does the Arkansas River empty?
Arkansas River, large tributary of the Mississippi River, rising in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains near Leadville in central Colorado, U.S., and flowing generally east-southeastward for 1,460 miles (2,350 km) through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas before entering the Mississippi 40 miles (64 km) northeast of
Is the Arkansas River muddy?
There are not 100 yards of river that doesn’t produce good numbers of big bass at one time or another, and they’re caught using every fishing tactic and lure. The only certainty is the unstable nature of the river itself. During spring, the Arkansas could be clear and stable, high and muddy, or anywhere in between.
What fish live in the Arkansas River?
Fish found in Arkansas River: blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, sauger, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, spotted sunfish, striped sunfish, bluegill sunfish, crappie, and redear sunfish.
What is the biggest catfish caught in the Arkansas River?
Arkansas State Fishing Records
| Species | Weight | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bullhead, Yellow | 2 lbs., 7 oz. | Private lake |
| Catfish, Blue | 116 lbs., 12 oz. | Mississippi River |
| Catfish, Channel | 38 lbs., 0 oz. | Lake Ouachita |
| Catfish, Flathead | 80 lbs., 0 oz. | Arkansas River |
Where can I fish in Arkansas River?
The Arkansas River offers fishing opportunities for every type of angler — from the river bank or from a boat. The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) provides sites with access to some of the best “Gold Medal” fishing along with picnic tables, grills and views of the river and mountains.
How cold is the Spring River in Arkansas?
around 58 degrees
Each trip is memorable in its own special way. The water temperature is around 58 degrees, so be prepared for a cool and refreshing trip down the river.
What class is Spring River in Arkansas?
The Spring River is characterized by numerous Class I-II rapids that sharpen one’s whitewater skills.
What is the biggest spring in Arkansas?
Mammoth Spring
Mammoth Spring is the largest spring in the state of Arkansas, the second largest in the Ozark Mountains region, and the seventh largest in the United States. This National Natural Landmark is located within the boundaries of Mammoth Spring State Park.
How many locks are on the Arkansas River?
17 locks
Four hundred and forty-five miles long with 17 locks and dams, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MCKARNS) is a reliable, year-round waterway into the Southwest.
Do I need an Arkansas boating license?
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission currently has a mandatory boater education requirement requiring all boaters born on or after January 1, 1986 to have the Arkansas boating license on board when the vessel is underway to satisfy the Arkansas boating regulations.