malvern to arkadelphia

[tkc67]

Is it possible to put in at malvern on the ouachita river and float to arkadelphia, and if possible about how long would it take?

[Cowper]

Possible? I have to say yes. I haven't done it, but I suspect the river is getting pretty slow down there. It would be about a 30 mile float, so if you're not setting a "race pace" with an early morning start, this would need to be divided up into two or three days.

[Jim Krueger]

TKC,

I have floated that section(s) several times in years past and it's certainly do-able. I mostly floated from Grigsby Ford (five miles downstream from the Malvern WW park) to Saginaw Eddy private access, and from Hwy 67 at Donaldson to Hwy 7 at Arkadelphia as seperate 'long' day trips. Saginaw access has been gone now for many years so one would have to paddle all the way to Donaldson for an access. The best estimate of miles I can offer is ; Malvern WW park access to Grigsby Ford access 5 miles. Grigsby Ford to Hwy 67 access about 15 miles, and Hwy 67 to Hwy 7 at Arkadelphia is 13.5 miles.
I used to vary the lower trip length in a couple of ways by putting in at Friendship and making about a 9 mile trip to Arkadelphia or putting in on the Caddo at Hwy 67 in Caddo Valley to make a 7 mile trip to Arkadelphia.
I have thoroughly loved floating, fishing, and exploring the Lower Ouachita in the last 40 years and have paddled all of that portion it from Remmel Dam to Camden. The longest single section I paddled was from Hwy 7 at Arkadelphia to Hwy 7 at Camden, some 65-70 miles. The sections from Malvern to Arkadelphia are real favorites of mine to fish. Were I to do that trip at my own pace and maybe fish some and gravel-bar camp, I'd probably allow 3 full days and 2 nights on the river.
If you have any specific questions I could help with, please just ask.

Best Regards
Jim

[Walter Felton]

I agree with Jim and Cowper it is possible to make the trip from Marvern to Arkadeliphia but you should expect more than one day. We did it when I was about 10 (40 plus years ago). We actually launched at the dam and paddled part way then on a different trip used a motor to complete the the run to Arkadeliphia. My brother has paddled or power boated the Ouachita from Oden (near the head waters) through the lakes to the Black river then to the Red which runs into the Atchafalaya that connects to the gulf. Not all in one day or one trip but over many years.

EAT WATER

[Jim Krueger]

Walter,

In about 1975, one of my college roomates made about the same trip as your brother did. He took his canoe, dog, and minimal gear, and set out from
the headwaters just NW of Mena and Acorn. Glynn took the entire Summer for his adventure. When he got to the Red River he then headed back upstream, paddling and poling back to his home in Malvern...
On a sad note, he took refuge briefly in Camden during a tornado one day and his dog was run over and killed.

Best Regards
Jim

[tsmethe]

I remember a trip many years ago with Cowper. We set off from Rockport in search of the elusive "secret wave" that was reportedly downstream somewhere. I don't remember ever finding the wave, but I do remember my butt hurt, I was hungry, thirsty and tired. Somewhere around dark thirty we got out to search for the road and got chased out of a farm field by a bull. At least we got a butt break. Paddled downstream another hour and finally we discovered Debbie and Susan waiting on a sandbar by the river. I have no idea where we were, but I don't think we made it all the way to Arkadelphia.

[JeffT]

That stretch has long pools with no current. Short ripples in between the pools.
I've got an old aluminum square back canoe and 1958 Evinrude 2 horse. Perfect for putting in at the 67 bridge, powering up and floating back down.
I grew up pretty near there. Fond memories of riding my moped to the river to fish and swim. All that has been deer lease gated now.

[ROBERT GEORGE SCHARNHORST]

i have paddle from mena to grisby ford and hwy 67 to arkadelphia, but not the 15 mile grisby ford to hwy 67 section.if anybody does this i'm in.