WSP02127

• File Number: 8112.600
• Description: Arkansas White Red Basins Interagency Committee - AWRBIAC
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 8/1/1976
• Title: Technical Memorandum - State Regional Futures and Problem Lists -- Activity 2 Phase II -- 1975 National Assessment --- part 1 of 3 -- Cover Page - page 134
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Climate

Arkansas' climate is classed CFA by the KOppen climatic classification
system. However, temperatures at higher elevations in north Arkansas
occasionally fall below zero. Average July temperatures vary from 76 to 82
degrees and daytime highs reach into the 90's even in the highlands.

Precipitation ranges from 40 inches in the western Arkansas River
Valley to about 56 inches in the western Ouachitas. Most precipitation
is of frontal origin. Local rainfall is increased in some areas, such
as the Ouachita Mountains, by orographic action which occurs when moist
air is forced to rise over a landform barrier.

Population

Past census records show that Arkansas experienced steady population
growth from 1890 to 1940. The 1890 census records indicated a population
of 1,128,211 as compared to a 1940 population of 1,949,387. From 1940
to 1960 Arkansas experienced a population loss, resulting in a 1960
population of 1,786,272. The loss of population was caused by a reduction
in the numbers employed in agriculture and a lack of industrial jobs to
fill the employment needs. In 1940 approximately 51 out of every 100 in
the labor force were employed in the agricultural industry. This
figure had dropped to 16 out of every 100 by 1960. After 1960 a signi-
ficant reversal began and Arkansas gained in population. By 1970 the
population had almost returned to the 1940 level. Population projections
indicate a state population of over 2.4 million by the year 1995.

Natural Resources

The State of Arkansas comprises approximately 33,986,560 acres
with about 25 percent devoted to cropland; 11 percent devoted to pasture
and range, and 50 percent in forest. The remaining 14 percent consists
of federa 1 1 and, urban and bui1 t~up areas, and small bodi es of water.

Agricultural land is one of the most valuable resources in the
state. The principal agricultural crops grown in the state are soybeans,
cotton, rice and hay. Other leading farm products are .broilers, cattle,
eggs, milk, turkeys and swine. Such agriculture products as grain,
truck crops. and fruits are of lesser importance.

Fores ts are also an important source of income to the peopl e of
Arkansas. Arkansas' forests contribute to our environmental and
recreation needs as well as providing raw materials to the largest
manufacturing industry -in the state. The state's forests supplied about
487 mi 11 i on cubi c feet of raw material to 590 pri mary and 106 secondary
manufacturing plants within Arkansas in 1972. Approximately two-thirds
of the 1972 timber harvest was veneer and saw logs and almost one-third
of the timber harvest was pulpwood.

An abundance of recreation opportunities exist in the State of
Arkansas. Approximately 33 major lakes provide over 375.000 surface

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