Dear Friend and Fellow Angler,
Soon the United States Congress will make a very important decision. Your help is needed to ensure that the decision is the right one. The decision deals with the reallocation of water storage in Lakes Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Greers Ferry in Arkansas and in Table Rock Lake in Missouri for the purpose of providing adequate water flow for the trout streams below the dams, generally referred to as minimum flow. Presently, the only water that is in these trout streams during non-generation and non-flood periods is the water that leaks through the dams. This is much less water than was originally in these streams and is not adequate to achieve the full potential of the fisheries. From an environmental standpoint, the establishment of a minimum flow would be a step in the right direction to restoring the river to its previous state prior to construction of the dam.
The objective of providing adequate minimum flow is to increase the size of the permanent stream in the tailwaters below the dams. An adequate minimum flow would reduce high water temperatures in the summer that stress or sometimes kill trout by flushing fresher, cold water into the river during low-water intervals. More water would help boaters navigate shallow shoals and provide more wade fishing opportunities for trout anglers. All of these factors add up to an increase in recreational activity on the river system as well as a multitude of environmental benefits.
The reallocation of water storage will not adversely affect the lake fisheries and an important point to keep in mind, is that the water required for minimum flow on the White River system will not be wasted; electricity will be produced during these emissions that can be sold on the grid.
With your help minimum flow on the White River system can become a reality. An intensive study, completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will soon be completed and a period, during which public comment will be accepted, will begin. Please join us in making our voices heard by contacting:
Mike Biggs, Project Manager for Minimum Flow
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
700 W. Capitol
P.O. Box 867
Little Rock, AR 72203-0867
Email: [email protected]
Mike Armstrong, Assistant Chief of the Fisheries Division
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
#2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-223-6371
Email: [email protected]
Forrest L. Wood
P.O. Box 99
Flippin, Arkansas 72634
Phone: 870-453-3212
Email: [email protected]
You may also check the following websites for updates and information:
www.swl.usace.army.mil and www.agfc.com
Any efforts or other contacts you can make on behalf of minimum flow will be greatly appreciated by thousands of sportsmen and myself.
The value of the establishment of a minimum flow on the White River system is so great to our environment and to our economy, but yet will have so little effect on other uses, that had it been implemented without prior notification, it is likely that few, if any, would have noticed.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
Forrest L. Wood
Vice Chairman Arkansas Game and Fish Commission