Buffalo National River

photo by Bonnie Dillard

While the land at the site of the Buffalo River State Park was protected, the river itself was not. During the 1930’s, there was an initiative to dam rivers for hydroelectric power and flood control and many dams, including the Bull Shoals and Norfork reservoirs were established. In early 1961, the push was on to place not one, but two dams on the Buffalo; one at Lone Rock and one at Gilbert. There was vocal and organized support both for and against the dams. Recent localized flooding had added to support for at least a flood control dam to be built. The Arkansas chapter of the Nature Conservancy, against the dams and the Buffalo River Improvement Association, a group advocating the dams squared up on opposite sides, each trying to rally local and national public officials to their respective causes.

Swinging Bridge
Located on the Buffalo River in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.
Color photo by Johnnie M. Gray
*If anyone has information about where on the Buffalo River this swinging bridge was located, I would love to hear from you.

After a long and hard-fought battle, a bill was passed in the United States House of Representatives and sent to the oval office. On March 1, 1971, President Nixon made the dream of the nation’s first National River a reality and funds were set aside for its creation.

Even after the bill was passed, the controversy was not over. Even to this day, over 40 years later, locals who were relocated from land that had been in their families for generations still hold a high degree of resentment against the federal government and its “heavy-handed” tactics.

photo by Bonnie Dillard

A beautiful and popular destination for Arkansas visitors, the Buffalo National River still floods during heavy rains, but the National Park Service issues warnings to visitors of impending flood conditions. If it had been dammed, it would be just another local lake. Instead, it is a unique part of our National Parks system and a welcome respite for those who  enjoy  floating, hiking and camping.

Flooding from 2008
Dillard's Ferry - Hwy. 14 East from Yellville
Top photo is about 2 hours after maximum flood stage.
Second photo is 24 hours later.
Photos by Bonnie Dillard

To read more about the change from State Park to National River and how it affected the local population read Stolen Water, Forgotten Liberties: A True Story of Life Along Arkansas' South Highway 14 and the Buffalo River by Jenny Barnes Butler

Sources: The Battle for the Buffalo by Compton, Neil , University of Arkansas Press ©1992

http://usparks.about.com/blparktypes-nr.htm

http://www.nps.gov/buff/index.htm

Be sure to check out my earlier post about Buffalo River State Park. Lots of postcards!

Buffalo River State Park

Before it was designated as our first National River, there was a Buffalo River State Park.With 135 of its 149 miles protected, the Buffalo River is the longest of only five river systems protected in the National Park system. One mile longer than the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which encompasses both the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in Missouri, the Buffalo National River was first established as an Arkansas State Park in 1938. 

A series of articles in the Yellville, Arkansas Mountain Echo newspaper tell the tale of how the state park came to be. Apparently, S.G. Davies, the Director of State Parks, spent some time in the area in October 1937 with Sam Duren, a local member of the State Parks Commission. It was realized that the area had some “ideal settings for beautiful parks.” The local residents felt that a State Park would be invaluable to Marion County, bringing badly needed revenue in the form of tourists and a possible CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp to build the park itself. 

Citizens organized to “put up a strong fight for the project.” Citing the project as a means to get Highways 14 and 62 paved as well as the revenue, the Mountain Echo issued a rallying cry to local citizens to get behind the project. By January of 1938, a site was secured for the park by persuading the owners to donate the land, since the state at that time, “Would not take over any area to be converted to a park unless the nucleus of the area was donated.”

The next obstacle was the establishment of a CCC camp to build the park. It was a toss-up between Lake Catherine and Buffalo River. In the end, the Buffalo won out due to a concerted effort by local politicians including Washington D.C. Congressman Claude Fuller.

It is interesting to note, in February 1938, there were seven State parks; Arkansas Post State Park, Arkansas County; Crowley’s Ridge, Greene County; Devil’s Den, Washington County; Lake Catherine, Hot Springs County; Mt. Nebo, Yell County; Petit Jean, Conway County, and Negro State Park, Jefferson County. The other interesting note from history is that the original state park land was donated instead of taken by imminent domain as the land was for the national park. One of the articles mentioned that a fish hatchery was also planned for the park. I have been unable to confirm that it was ever built. 

After the establishment of the park, papers from the next two years reported Fourth of July celebrations as taking place on the grounds of the State Park, even though it is over 15 miles from the town of Yellville.

Source: Microfilm reel #9 (Yellville) Mountain Echo - May 8, 1935 (Vol. 49, #5) – Sept. 17, 1941 (Vol. 56, #26) Marion County Library, Yellville, Arkansas

Ozark Playground Series Picturesque river scene at the camping area in the beautiful Buffalo River State Park, located on Highway 14 between Yellville and Marshall, Arkansas. The park offers housekeeping cottages, lodge with dining room, camping, picnic and swimming facilities. Bring the whole family for a vacation packed with fun and relaxation.

Be sure to check out the post about the Buffalo National River!