Fort Smith Ark River Dec 29th Discovery trip

[Paleo paddler]

Kim Rea, the Army Corp of Engineers Recreational Manager out of St. Louis, will be coming to Fort Smith on December 29th to assess the potential of a water trail on the Arkansas River. A similar trail on the Mississippi has been very successful. http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers/WaterTrails.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


We will meet at Sacred Grounds Coffee shop (521 Garrison Ave) at 11am on Tuesday, December 29th. If the weather is sunny (temperatures in the 50’s) and the Arkansas River levels are moderate, we plan on paddling from the Garrison Ave to Fort Smith Park. Total distance is about 6 miles. Launch at noon and lunch on halfway gravel bar are planned. Again, the canoe/kayak trip will be weather and water dependent.



Though we are blessed with abundant mountain streams in this area, I think establishment of a water trail from downtown Fort Smith to Fort Smith park is important for several reasons. First and foremost, this is a beautiful natural resource that exists on our doorstep. The first and last miles are urban indeed. Yet the 4 miles between have islands, gravel bars, and great birding and wildlife watching opportunities. The City of Fort Smith is looking for ways to re-connect to the river. With a paddle is a fun way!



Secondly, our perception of the Arkansas River as dangerous and dirty must change. The City of Fort Smith has made a substantial commitment of tens of millions of dollars to clean up our storm water run off into the river. More needs to be done to improve the water quality. Recreation can bring attention to the water quality issues. Ultimately, can a cleaned up Arkansas River be municipal water resource? I’m hopeful it can be. This would relieve the need to keep impounding free-flowing extraordinary mountain streams.



Lastly, water safety education is mandatory for fun and safe recreation. For those with knowledge and skills, the river becomes a natural playground.



Please email me back if you can go on this paddling adventure. If you can’t paddle (or the weather is not cooperating), please swing by Sacred Grounds to meet Ms. Rea. I would like her to see the depth of experience and our commitment to safety, conservation, and education. Please also forward this to other paddlers.



Thanks,



Ron Robbins

River Valley Chapter member of the Arkansas Canoe Club

rrobbins@hannaoilandgas.com

479-651-1417

[Jim Krueger]

Ron,

I agree that the Arkansas River could, and should, provide great recreational possibilities when the level is good, and most certainly to continually meet the water needs of Arkansans.

Good luck with the water trail over there at Fort Smith! Once in the eighties, when in the National Guard at Ft. Chaffee, I decided to bathe one evening just below the lock and dam at Barling. The water quality suited me after a long hot day, but the current kept swishing my legs this way, and that.

Best Regards
Jim

[iYak]

Count me and Max in, and let us know if you need help setting up shuttle.

[panicman]

Sounds cool. I can't make it but I will sorta be with you as you pass "P" street.

[Richard]

I have felt for a long time that one should be established at Cadron Settlement-Toad Suck. Lots of history and geology.

[Paleo paddler]

The weather is looking dicey for our river trip. I will make the final call on Monday. We will have the meeting on Tuesday at Sacred Grounds and look over the map to discuss options though. Have a Merry Christmas!

[potterspoint434]

I might drive up from LR if anyone wants a ride, I would want to know for sure it was going to happen .
The way I understand it this will be on the River itself not backwater?
Please give a update as soon as you decide
Thanks
Phil

[Paleo paddler]

Temps are looking too cool for our Discovery trip. Instead, we will meet at Sacred Grounds at 11am in FS to discuss the possibility of a corps of engrs, Fort Smith Park Partners, and Arkansas Canoe Club collaboration. Try the Jamacian-me-crazy coffee!

I had more email, telephone and other interest in this than expected. We will re-schedule this trip soon.

[Paleo paddler]

We had a really good initial meeting with Kim. Dave Robertson, Mike Smets (FS Parks Board), Mike Alsup (FS Parks Director), Leo Peacock, Allan Rau, Ron Robbins, and Kim Rea were in attendance. Ms. Rea is very enthusiastic to our idea of creating a river trail around Fort Smith. She has seen positive benefits to the local towns along the Upper Mississippi water trail. She will send some local information on the economic impact. Ms. Rea and I then did a driving tour and looked at potential access points.

What’s next? I’d like to have another planning meeting to rough in the trail and the stops. How about an 11am Tuesday, January 05, 2010 lunch meeting at Sacred Grounds? An ownership map of the islands on the river will be necessary. We need to get in contact with the owners of the islands (principally Union Pacific Railroad) about a potential small group camp and/or day use areas on these island. Roughly 800 acres of islands exist off the midway point on Clayton expressway. The day Ms. Rea and I were out there, there were easily 100 birds buzzing around the islands. These islands are a birders dream. Getting a conservation easement, or island day use area, or small primitive camp on these islands would help Fort Smith’s claim of being a bird sanctuary.

River access off the Rice Carden Trail at the mid point of Clayton Expressway will also need to be figured out. Questions to be answered: Ownership? Does a gravel ramp need a Corp of Engrs 404 permit? A river clean-up here is a must. Currently a big soda machine lies in the water. An organized cleanup may need more than just Canoe club folks. Maybe the A-team can get involved.

Steps to the river have recently been approved by the Corps for the City of Clarksville. I’d like to check out that design. Can we use a similar design to gain access at Harry E. Kelly Park?

The Corps of Engineers has Challenge Partnership Agreements that would be a good fit here. It is roughly a 50/50 deal so would help double any money the City spends on this. While the Corps recreation budget has been stagnate for years, water trails are being funded since they are inexpensive and popular with the public.

Thank you for your interest in the Arkansas River Discovery Water Trail!