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| Little Missouri River | |
|---|---|
 Little Missouri River inOuachita National Forest | |
 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 147 mi (237 km) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | below the mouth of the Antoine |
| • average | 430 cubic feet per second (12 m3/s) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Langley, Arkansas |
| • average | 152 cubic feet per second (4.3 m3/s)[1] |
| Type | Wild, Scenic |
| Designated | April 22, 1992 |
TheLittle Missouri River, orLittle Mo, is a 147-mile-long (237 km)[2] waterway that runs from theOuachita Mountains of southwestArkansas into the rolling hills area in the surrounding countryside.
The Little Missouri River is a rocky mountain river that flows through narrow forested canyons. This river has numerous small waterfalls, crystal clear water, and outstanding scenery including towering rocky bluffs crowned with pine.
The Little Missouri River was so named because its lower reaches were said to remind early French explorers of the Missouri River.
The Little Missouri flows in a generally north-to-south direction throughPike,Clark, andMontgomery on the western side of theOuachita River. The Little Missouri River is south of, and runs parallel to, theCaddo River, before flowing into theOuachita River nearTates Bluff, Arkansas. The largesttributary of the Little Missouri River is theAntoine River. The Little Missouri River is intermittently navigable to small boats below its confluence with the Antoine River, although it is rarely used.
The Little Missouri River is dammed byNarrows Dam and formsLake Greeson. The upper stretches of the Little Missouri River above Lake Greeson descend 1,035 feet in 29 miles (315 m in 47 km) for an average drop of 35 feet per mile (6.6 m/km). This makes the upper waters of the river excellent for experiencedcanoers. There is a 4.4-mile (7.1 km) long segment that has been designated as a wild river. This segment contains theWinding Stair Rapid, which is classified as a Class IV rapid on theInternational Scale of River Difficulty. Another attraction on the upper river isLittle Missouri Falls, a staircasestep fall that attracts photographers and visitors. The upper reaches of the Little Missouri were considered so scenic that the area was once approved by Congress to become Ouachita National Park, until this action was vetoed by PresidentHerbert Hoover. The watershed of the Little Missouri River is quite small, which means that its upper reaches ordinarily contain little water during the dry summer months.
The Little Missouri River is a superiorfishing stream forrainbow trout,green sunfish,longear sunfish,smallmouth bass,spotted bass, and other species. The area below the dam at Lake Greeson is most popular for trout fishermen.
Portions of the Little Missouri River flow through theOuachita National Forest, and the lower segment flows past theCrater of Diamonds State Park. The Albert Pike Campground provides camping facilities for visitors to the area.
The Little Missouri is listed as a "Wild and Scenic River" by theUnited States Forest Service. The upper reaches of the river are designated as an "Arkansas Natural and Scenic River" by the State.
The Little Missouri flows through territory once occupied by the mound-buildingCaddo people.[4]
During theAmerican Civil War theBattle of Elkin's Ferry was fought on the Little Missouri, 10 miles (16 km) north ofPrescott, Arkansas, at theClark-Nevada County line.
During the night of June 10–11, 2010 aflash flood along Little Missouri killed 20 people[5] including 8 children who were camping in the campgrounds of theAlbert Pike Recreational Area. Between 200 and 300 campers had woken to rapidly rising water,[6] and in less than four hours, water rose from three feet (0.91 m) to over twenty-three feet (7.0 m)[7]
