This is the fourth diary in my series about expanding the National Parks System. Last week, I visited the desert state of Arizona, this week, I'm riding down the Mississippi River to visit Arkansas. Carved out the Louisiana Purchase, Arkansas is a relatively small state, closer to Alabama in size than it is to Arizona, let alone Alaska. Arkansas has a number of wildlife refuges, a military park and a national park, all of which I will explore in this diary.
This is the fourth diary in my series about expanding the National Parks System. Last week, I visited the desert state of Arizona, this week, I'm riding down the Mississippi River to visit Arkansas. Carved out the Louisiana Purchase, Arkansas is a relatively small state, closer to Alabama in size than it is to Arizona, let alone Alaska. Arkansas has a number of wildlife refuges, a military park and a national park, all of which I will explore in this diary. Arkansas has 7.2% of its area owned by the feds, which is 22nd in the country. i will be proposing adding some monuments to the ledger as currently Arkansas doesn't have any. It was proposed in the 1920s that a national park be created out of the Ouachitas Mountains but the NPS opposed it because of its close proximity to Hot Springs, which had recently been created as a National Park. A mistake, that I will rectify, in my proposed monuments section. On with the Diary.
ARKANSAS
Total area 53 179 sq miles
Land area 52 068 sq miles
Water Area 1 111 sq miles
Coastline 0 sq miles
Additional national monuments -4
National Parks -1
Hot Springs Established 1921 covers 5550 acres
The oldest reserve in the US, Hot Springs was originally set aside in 1832 as a reserve, then upgraded to a national park in 1921. It is the smallest national park in the system, covering less than 6000 acres. Because it was set aside originally before Yellowstone, Hot Springs was the first quarter in the National Park Quarter collection. The park includes parts of the city of Hot Springs, which was built up around the park. unlike with later parks, the springs and the mountains they come from have not been left in thier native state, but are instead managed to ensure the continued production of the springs. Hot Springs is one of the more visited parks with 1.4 million visitors in 2011.
National Forests -2
Ouachita Established 1907 covers 1,784,457 acres
the oldest national forest in the South, Ouchita is the French translation of the Indian word Washita, which means 'good hunting grounds" Originally called Arkansas National Forest it was changed to its current name in 1926.About 80% of the Forest is in Arkansas, the remainder is in Oklahoma. most of the Ouachita Mountains lie in the forest. The area nearly became a 165000 acre national park in the 1920s, but the NPS opposed it, as Hot Springs is close by, and President Coolidge pocket-vetoed the measure.currently about 65000 acres of the forest is wilderness.
Ozark-St Francis established 1908 Covers 1.259,801 acres
combined into one unit, the Ozark St Francis is really two forest. the Ozark Forest which covers 1.2 million acres, and St Francis which covers 22600 acres. The Ozark Forest contains Arkansas' tallest mountain,Magazine mountain at 2753 feet, as well as 5 wilderness areas. the forest is not contiguous, but split into sections.
Wildlife Refuges-10
Bald Knob Established 1993 Covers 14800 acres
One of the newer refuges in the states, this refuge was originally a rice farm owned by the John Hancock Insurance Company. 9000 acres is agricultural almost 6000 is forested or reforested. It is home to 150000 geese and 100000 ducks during the winter months.
Big Lake Established 1915 Covers 11038 acres
created by President Wilson after local citizens complained about development in the area,Big Lake preserves marshlands created during the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, 2100 acres, or roughly one sixth, is wilderness.
Cache River Established 1986 Covers 67400 acres
Contains the largest remaining tracts of bottomland hardwood forest in North America and is listed as a Ramsar Wetland. The Fish and Wildlife Services plans to greatly expand the refuge calling for a total area of nearly 288000 acres, roughly 4 times its current size. the expanded area will connect currently separated portions of the refuge as well as add in areas that contain sand dunes, lakes and forests.
Felsenthal Established 1970 Covers 64902 acres
This refuge contains the world;s largest green tree reservoir. green trees occur when bottomland hardwoods are shallowly flooded, and which creates habitat for waterfowl.in addition to wetland, the area is home to upland hardwood and pine forests as well resident animal include the alligator, bald eagle, and red cockaded woodpecker. inhabited by Native Americans for at least 5000 years, the refuge contains more than 200 archeological sites.
Holla Bend Established 1957 Covers 6486 acres
Created from a Army corp of Engineers project in 1954 to straighten the Arkansas River, the refuge is home to 100000 wintering ducks and geese. the area was previously used for agricultural purposes but was abandoned after the area flooded in 1927.
Logan Cave Established 1989 Covers 123 acres
Protects Logan Cave, which contains a natural stream that flows the entire length of cave and sustains a high diversity of life, including bats, crayfish and other cave dwellers. the refuge also contains everything from grassland, to shrublands, prairie and upland hardwood forest.
Overflow Established 1980 Covers 12247 acres
Designed to protect the habitat of migratory bird on the Mississippi Flyway, this refuge is home to over 100000 birds, including bald eagles. the refuge has hardwood, beech and sugar maple forest as well.
Pond Creek Established 1994 Covers 27300 acres
The newest of Arkansas 10 wildlife refuges, Pond Creek protects areas along the Little and Cossatot Rivers, and lies at the ntersection of the Mississippi and Central Flyways.The western edge of the refuge is just 10 miles from the border with Oklahoma.
Wapanocca Established 1961 Covers 5484 acres
Established from land bought from the Wapanocca Hunting Club, this refuge was once a bend in the Mississippi River, and is home to the bald eagle, egret, and blue heron.Like Overflow WR, it is part of the Mississippi Flyway.
White River Established 1935 Covers 160000 acres
The largest current wildlife refuge in the state, White River protects most of the lower White River, and is a important stopover for birds from Canada. The refuge is also home to black bears and bald eagles. White River was classed as a Ramsar Wetland in 1989.
Historic Sites Memorials and other Units-4
Fort Smith Established 1961 covers 75 acres
Protects the ruins of two 19th century forts as well as the courthouse that served as the District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. it was a important stop on the Trial of tears, and the district court handled cases in Arkansas and what was then Indian country(now Oklahoma).79 people were executed giving Judge Isaac Parker the title "Hanging Judge".
Little Rock Central High School Established 1998 covers 18
This Site commemorates the desegregation of Little Rock in 1957 by 9 black students who came to be called the "Little Rock Nine. the site contains a garden commemorating the 8 students and showing how the school has changed since 1957. included is a Mobil gas station that was used as a station during the crisis by reporters and is maintained in its period look.
Arkansas Post Memorial Established 1960 covers 758 acres
The site of the first French settlement in the lower Mississippi region, Arkansas Post was home to a series of forts, possibly as many as four, but due to erosion and shifts in the river, that can not be proven for certain. the last fort was nearly completely destroyed during the Vicksburg campaign in 1863. For a short time from 1813-21 Arkansas post was the capital of Arkansas, before the capital was moved to Little Rock.
Rea Ridge Military Park Established 1956 covers 4300 acres
One of the best preserved Civil war battlefields, Pea Ridge protects the site of a Civil wAr battle fought between Union and Confederate forces on March 7-8 1862, which resulted in a Union victory and helped keep Missouri in the Union. The site was proposed as a military park in 1956, and proposed protecting the entire battlefield. at that time, military parks usually included a memorial and 1 acre of land, but the legislation called for 5000 acres. eventually the acreage was settled at the current number of 4300, and in the process of buying the land the NPS relocated or demolished several houses including the Winton Springs mansion, which was too large to be moved. One exception was the Elkhorn Tavern, which saw the brunt of much of the fighting and was preserved as a result.
Proposed Monuments -4
Ouachita- Establishes a monument within the forest, similar to the one proposed in the 1920s, except slightly bigger. Estimated area 200000 acres
Ozarks- preserves portions of Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas, using existing forest as a baseline. Estimated area 1 million acres
Cache River
Upgrades the existing refuge to monument status. estimated area 150000 acres
White River
Upgrades the existing refuge to monument status. estimated area 180000 acres
And there is my summary of Arkansas, next week I'll be in California trying to track down Johnny Depp's autograph in-between examining California's collection of parks monuments ad other protected areas. As always, comments concerns and snide remarks are welcome.