Everything about Buffalo National River totally explained
The
Buffalo River, located in northern Arkansas, was the first National River to be designated in the
United States. The Buffalo River is slightly more than 150 miles in length, with the lower 135 miles flowing within the boundaries of an area managed by the
National Park Service, where it's designated the
Buffalo National River
. The river flows through
Newton,
Searcy,
Marion, and
Baxter counties, from West to East. The River originates in the highest part of
Boston Mountains of the
Ozarks, flows out onto the Springfield Plateau near the historic community of Erbie, and finally crosses the Salem Plateau just before joining the
White River. The Park is home to the State's only
elk herd. The upper section of the River in the
Ozark National Forest is managed by the
U.S. Forest Service and is designated as a
National Scenic River and a National Wild River.
The Buffalo National River was established by an
Act of Congress on
March 1,
1972, ending the recurring plans of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct one or more dams on the River. The
National River designation protects natural rivers from industrial uses, empoundments and other obstructions that may change the natural character of the river or disrupt the natural habitat for the flora and fauna that live in or near the river.
At a point about 15 miles above the Park boundary in
Newton County, Arkansas, the Buffalo River begins as the Main Prong of Big Buffalo Creek. On 1:24,000 scale
United States Geological Survey topographic maps, the Buffalo River is shown to form at the confluence of Reeves Fork and Big Buffalo Creek North of Fallsville, Arkansas. The River then flows North through Boxley to Ponca, where it then begins an eastward trek across northern Arkansas to its confluence with the
White River on the Marion-Baxter County line. Advanced canoeists and kayakers often refer to the 15 mile section upriver from Boxley, Arkansas as the Hailstone River. This extremely challenging section of the River is floatable only during periods of high water and should only be attempted by those with solid whitewater skills.
Along the upper River, the gradient is steep and the water is fast, leveling and slowing as the River runs its course. The upper section has most of the whitewater rapids to be found along the River, and features dramatic topography including
sink holes and
caves,
springs and
waterfalls, over 500 foot tall
sandstone and
limestone bluffs, and many interesting
rock formations. At one point, a 0.65 mile hike from the River up a narrow, boxed canyon leads to a 209-foot waterfall,
Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls, the highest of its kind between the Southern
Appalachians and the
Rockies. The River's ancient current also gives life to well over 300 species of
fish,
insects, freshwater
mussels, and aquatic
plants.
The Buffalo National River is a popular camping,
canoeing and
fishing destination. Visitors may bring their own canoes or rent from several independent concessioners. Camping is generally allowed throughout the Park with the following exceptions: the Hemmed-in-Hollow area, on Big Bluff, in historical structures, on private property within the Park, or within 100 feet of any trail or watercourse. Camping is however permitted on gravel bars and sand bars along the River. In addition, the National Park Service has a number of "developed" campgrounds along the River. These fee-based sites have parking areas, water, toilets, picnic tables and pay phones.
The National Park Service headquarters for the Buffalo National River is located in
Harrison, Arkansas.
Further Information
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