Progress on Fisher's Ford Park - OPEN

[paddledog]

My guess is early May.

Nice guess, I just got the official word MAY 10th
I will keep this updated as details progress..........

[troutdude]

Greetings ACC! I'm headed down from KC to hit up the Ford today and was wondering, at what level are the features washed out? Thanks for any info.

[paddledog]

Sorry for the late update, I didn't see this post until now.
The river is running high right now but no one really knows
how the features are. The wave shapes are changing with
each flood. Report back if you get time.
Thanks.
Steve

[Charles1967]

This morning at 10:30am it was high enough to be 'partially over' that first manmade cement island by the bridge. I was on the South side, but the water was far enough up the ramp I could not get out far enough to see the water features. Tried to go up high, but too muddy to get to the bank. I had sticky mud up to my ankles by the time I got back to truck. I'll take a look Sunday morning early. CC

** Just got back from park. 6:00pm. Water looks really cool. Lower sidewalk is dry, but islands and retainer walls all flowing water. Two guys from Kansas City [Brent & Scott] only two out there, surfing and "surfing & booping and bopping" [ok, I don't know the terms yet!!] on the lower feature and all along the walls that are now small water falls. Tomorrow should be spectacular. Man, I need a boat!

** 3_30_2014 - 8:00am - Water has dropped about 6 inches since yesterday evening. I believe it dropped 2 more while I stood there talking to 'Winslow' from Fayetteville who was in a blue canoe and apparently impervious to cold. The water was still coming over the wall between the first and second feature, but more of a 'fall' than a 'flow'. The features [waves] were starting to stretch out nicely. Winslow was looking at that small natural water fall over at the north kiddie pool which was churning nicely - and was about to run it with his 17' canoe as I was leaving. I'll try to get a low quality iPhone picure out here in a minute.

[troutdude]

Hello again! Our trip from KC this weekend was a ton o fun despite the high levels. We put in on Saturday afternoon around 3pm and played hard until after 7. If memory serves correct, we put in around 1600 cfs. The main features were washed out and catching them for even a short ride was impossible in my Rock Star. However, there was plenty of fun to be had on both sides of the lower feature. After a good day we checked into our crappy hotel, cleaned up and went to the casino for some buffet action. Will not be making that mistake again, as the whole place stinks to high heaven like an ashtray, as do the clothes I was wearing.

Today we got off to a lazy slow start figuring the levels were still too high and we were in no rush. Put in around noon and found that levels were still too high on both primary features, 940 cfs, but were definitely an improvement over yesterday. The lower feature could actually be surfed for a few seconds before getting flushed out. Around 1:30 I noticed that the green water tongue on the lower feature was slowly starting to close. YES!!! Unfortunately, we did not have time to stick around and wait for the glory. I'm not sure at what level the lower feature becomes a solid foam pile from side to side but I strongly suspect it's somewhere around 725 cfs, which I believe may be slightly higher than the 3.7 ft optimal rating on the Ozark Creek Summary. Time will tell.

All in all it was a great, yet short lived trip. I met some really nice people and and am looking forward to returning soon. Many thanks to the Walton family for the donation to make this great spot possible. BTW, if you are looking for another tax break, KC could use a whitewater park and I know just the spot!

[paddledog]

Hello again! Our trip from KC this weekend was a ton o fun despite the high levels.
All in all it was a great, yet short lived trip.

Thanks for a great report,
These are going to be needed and interesting to watch over this
summer. Any photos would be appreciated. Also, remember
Fayetteville is only 25 min. away with a bit more selection on
food and lodging.....Thanks again....

[paddledog]

OK, here is the latest.
The parking lot is completed, last of the dirtwork is being done now.
In speaking with the construction crew, I have worked out a deal for us to use the parking lot.

You may enter from the North (map below).
Turn into the lot before the road block signs.
If the gate is open, follow the gravel road to the concrete parking lot.
Park in MIDDLE of the lot, out of the way of any ongoing construction.
This pertains to the time the crew is working.
Right now they are working 7 days a week during daylight hours.
The park will CLOSE at DARK. be ready to leave a little before that.
The changing rooms are there but no benches have been installed.
Please use them.

Map from hwy. 16 to park.
http://goo.gl/maps/YgyNu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[magicmike]

Steve- Super Sweet! Thanks for all you do bro!-M-

[Dan Daniel]

It's crazy, but after 20years going to the Ford, I have never been from the north side.
Thank you for the map!
And everything else!
Dan

[paddledog]

It's crazy, but after 20years going to the Ford, I have never been from the north side.
Thank you for the map!
And everything else!
Dan

Welcome to the Dark side...........We have cookies..........

[Kayakin Cole]

Turned into a beautiful day at the park this afternoon. Arrived around 3:30 with the gauge reading 574 cfs (3.6). Top wave was "surf all day" quality like many have described. You can't help but smile while enjoying smooth surf and 360°views of a dream come true. The lower hole feature was still washed, similar to most of my recent visits. Was at the park about 10 days ago at about 20 cfs higher and both features were similar to today. I'm curious to see what both do when no water is spilling over the center river rocks. I feel like the lower feature will come together a bit better and make for an inviting rodeo. Either way, this is my 6th or so visit since river bed completion and the beautiful reality has yet to sink in. I've preached it many times outside this forum but must say it again. Thanks to the Walton Foundation and City of Siloam for their progressive vision and motivation to enhance the lifestyle quality for all NW Arkansans and our friends next door! It is truly a gift and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts for years to come. See you all on the river soon-

[tomOzarkVideo]

Lower Feature 1.jpg

Top Feature.jpg

Top Feature.jpg

Turned into a beautiful day at the park this afternoon. Arrived around 3:30 with the gauge reading 574 cfs (3.6). Top wave was "surf all day" quality like many have described. You can't help but smile while enjoying smooth surf and 360°views of a dream come true. The lower hole feature was still washed, similar to most of my recent visits. Was at the park about 10 days ago at about 20 cfs higher and both features were similar to today. I'm curious to see what both do when no water is spilling over the center river rocks. I feel like the lower feature will come together a bit better and make for an inviting rodeo. Either way, this is my 6th or so visit since river bed completion and the beautiful reality has yet to sink in. I've preached it many times outside this forum but must say it again. Thanks to the Walton Foundation and City of Siloam for their progressive vision and motivation to enhance the lifestyle quality for all NW Arkansans and our friends next door! It is truly a gift and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts for years to come. See you all on the river soon-

Cole, I think you may have just found the sweet spot!! Between ~3.8 and ~3.6 is the moment the wave starts to fall back on itself!?!

Thanks for the pics!

[paddledog]

Yesterday, April 18 - Approx. 12:30 (My Birthday)
The final walk through with the engineer and construction supervisor was completed.
The park was deemed complete enough to open. There are a few minor details and
still some work to be done but it is close enough.
The changing rooms benches should be complete in a couple days. None of the signs
are up. Trash barrels aren't there. And porta-johns have yet to be installed. One of
our sister organizations (Illinois River Watershed Partnership) is still working
hard to get the planting installed before the summer heat. Contact them for working
hours if you would like to help out.
Because the signs aren't ready, the changing rooms have no Men's/Women's designation.
For no apparent reason folks have been using right for men's and left for women's. Just
give a shout out on your way in. Maybe someone could take a home made sign and some
scotch tape out today and help out. No duct tape on the new walls please.
Be sure to police not only your trash, but any other you see. I can say there was absolutely
NO trash when the construction crew left. They did a great job on clean up.
Access is still from the North entrance. Map below. Then gate will be opened at daylight
and closed at dark. Siloam Springs Police dept. will be the ones controlling the gate. I am
sure it will take a little time for them to work out the routine, so be patient.
I have said it before and I will say it again, this is manna from heaven dropped in our
corner of the state. Please send a quick note to the ones responsible for this gift. I have
listed a few emails below.
In listing thank you's, I have to give a big one to the paddling community in general.
Folks who didn't know us before are shocked and amazed at the cooperation and organization
displayed during the construction. Everyone's willingnessto play by the rules and do
what was asked was amazing. We are somewhat of a shadow group that got exposed to
a lot of non paddlers who were in awe of what they saw. Thanks to everyone.

Here are a few of the people who deserve a thanks,
The Walton Family Foundation - http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/contact" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The construction crew - TSP environmental (http://www.tspenvironmental.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
The engineering team REP (http://www.boaterparks.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and Crist engineering (http://www.cristengineers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership - http://www.irwp.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




Map from hwy. 16 to park.
http://goo.gl/maps/YgyNu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[midgetwarner]

Went out to check it out today, and I am so impressed! Anyone take anything other than a whitewater kayak down the rapids? I have a recreational kayak and I'm not sure I'd make it down without swamping it! I might be willing to try anyway. I'll just prepare for a swim.

[LarryT]

Paddledog

Thanks for the updates and patience with all the questions.