WSP11691 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I ,=":l .-, N I .... 00 t-.J I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 2. Black River Basin - Arkansas and Missouri. Black River Basin, comprises 8,520 square miles, is in the southeastern portion of Missouri and the northeastern portion of Arkansas and is the largest tributary of the White River. The three major growth are~s in the basin are Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Pocahontas and Corning, Arkansas. The Clearwater Lake formed by a dam at Mile 257.4 (50 river miles above Poplar Bluff) creates a lake that extends upstTeam about 20 miles when full. ClearwateT is authorized fOT flood control only having 391,000 acre-feet of flood control storage. The major problem in the basin is that the Black River Channel will not carry all flow not regulated by Clear Water Lake. Almost ninety percent of the basin is uncontrolled. The river is aggrading, possibly due to siltation from farming and construction activities. At many locations high water is being experienced more now than in past years for comparable river flows. Flood control for the benefit of agriculture, timber, and developmental interest by land owners, farmers, and other residents in the basin is the primary concern of these residents. See Arkansas Map 2. 3. '-lhite River Basin above Beaver - Arkansas. The problem area in consideration lies in the counties of Benton and Washington in northern Arkansas. The area also includes the cities of Fayette- ville, Benton, and Rogers. The 11,860 square miles study area has a population (1970) of approximately 127,850. At present industrial development in these cities contain 80 manufacturing firms of which 31 are in the food for kindred products industries. The lake provides a total storage capacity of 1,952,000 acres feet of which 300,000 is for flood control and 1,652,000 is for water supply and generation of power. At flood conservation pool level the lake provides 28,000 acre feet of water surface and 449 miles of shoreline. Eleven parks have been developed by the Corps of Engineers around the lake and 7 commercial boat dock concessions. Rapid future growth in both the population and industrial sector is expected to have major impact on the run off characteristics of the drainage basin above the lake, as well as the quantity, quality, and principal use of the lake itself. This will create flood problems in the urban areas unless development of the flood plain is carefully planned. Due to the primary purpose of the lake and future anticipated growth, alternate means of generating pbwer is sought, while at the same time maintaining lake levels and protecting the water supply and quality from further deterioration in the future. See Arkansas Map 3. 102