Heavy rainfall across eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas has pushed river levels high enough to prompt a small craft advisory for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Flows on the Arkansas River have risen above 70,000 cubic feet per second, the threshold used by the Corps to issue small craft advisories. Officials said the elevated water levels are producing strong currents and increased debris, creating hazardous conditions for recreational boating.
The lower Arkansas River is forecast to crest near 100,000 cubic feet per second over the next several days before gradually receding, assuming no additional significant rainfall occurs. High flows are expected to move through and exit the system over that same period.
The advisory applies to the McClellan-Kerr navigation system, where conditions are closely monitored during periods of heavy runoff to ensure safety along the waterway.
More information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District can be found here:
USACE Little Rock District
Water level updates and monitoring tools are also available here:
USACE Water Control App
