Public Comments on Kayaking Lake Maumelle

[JohnG]

The ArkDemGaz has a notice on page 3B of a Meeting at 10 am Thursday at their offices at 221 E. Capital, LR. One of the topics open for comments is kayaking on Lake Maumelle near the Highway 10 bridge. That may be a prelude to discussions of paddling trails on the Big Maumelle above the lake.

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for the 'heads up' John! I can't attend the meeting but do wish we could send comments via email.
Lake Maumelle, and indeed Lake Winona are both very scenic and could both be wonderful kayaking destinations. I have long-felt they should both be open to kayaks.


Best Regards
Jim

[DeBo]

Yes, thanks John for the heads up. Historically canoes and kayaks have not been allowed on the lake while Jon Boats and sail boats have been allowed. Now we have an opportunity to begin correcting this inequity. Caw and AGFC are aquiring more land around the lake for sportsmen and more kinds of recreational boating including a canoe trail on the Big Maumelle.

This has been in the works for a while. I just spoke to Martin Maner at CAW. Martin is watershed director for Lake Maumelle, an ACC member and great guy. He says that the comment period will be open until December 9th and encouraged us to send comments directly to him at:

email to : martin.maner@carkw.com

snail mail to : Martin Maner, P.E., Director of Watershed Management, Central Arkansas Water, P.O. Box 1789, Little Rock, AR 72203



Here is the AGFC announcement:

Public Hearings on Proposed Changes for Lake Maumelle
By Arkansas Game and Fish
First posted on 10-22-2009

Central Arkansas Water will be holding two public hearings, in conjunction with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, to gather comments on proposed changes to Central Arkansas Water’s rules and regulations on Lake Maumelle and its surrounding property.
The proposed changes are part of the recently approved Memorandum of Understanding agreement between CAW and the AGFC. The proposed changes will affect public recreational opportunities on both Lake Maumelle and the surrounding property.
The first hearing will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Joe T. Robinson High School, 21501 Highway 10. The second hearing will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at Central Arkansas Water’s James T. Harvey Administration Building, 221 E. Capitol Avenue in Little Rock.
The proposed changes include allowing trot lines in designated areas, kayaks above the Highway 10 bridge and archery-only deer hunting and small game hunting in designated areas around Lake Maumelle.
For more information regarding the proposed rules and regulations changes or the public hearings, please contact Stewardship Coordinator Stephanie Hymel at (501) 377-1331.

[David Mac]

ABOVE the hwy 10 bridge? That's like what, 5% of the lake?

I guess it's a baby step in the right direction.

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for the information DeBo! I'll sure send Martin a note.
And you're right, he's just a great guy. Also a fellow Overflow X enthusiast:)


Best Regards
Jim

[ckuntz]

Lake Maumelle is very beautiful and wonderful to paddle. About 10 yrs ago I use to paddle this Lake and it was no problem, but within a year or so an army gentlemen went paddling in a rec. kayak I believe and drowned. I believe the area is run by the Water works connected to the far end by the dam. I talked to them about this years ago if I could sign a waver but no deal. Parts of Maumelle are really shallow and waves pick up quickly during storms. Really would enjoy paddling on this again in my touring canoe.
Chris K

[JohnG]

I attended the meeting and liked the general direction of making the area around Lake Maumelle into a wildlife management area. They plan to work with Game and Fish and conservation organizations to manage the land and waters to preserve good drinking water and get more folks with an interest in maintaining the watershed and reporting bad activities. I guess the canoe club fits as a potential partner. They talked about permits for sculling on the lake and it sounded like a boat 14 feet or more can be on the lake (But I did not ask that specifically). I think they might permit scheduled touring events for a fee.

Smaller boats will be allowed above the highway 10 and they will improve the ramp there. Long term they are looking at modifying or removing some low head dams at the sod farm, widening a path through some thickets below the farm and making a paddling trail from the sod farm to the lake. I have kayaked that stretch by paddling up and then down and it would be neat to have an access at the sod farm. There are nice pools and some riffles. At the right level there can be cypress knee rapids and drops over logs.