class2arkansas

This perky Class II – II+  creek, that in no way resembles a bayou on its upper reaches, is located near Romance, Arkansas.

The drainage area for the creek is fairly small, so it takes a good rain to bring the creek up enough to paddle.  The water level in the video is about the lowest you would want; a 4″ rain fell on the area a day and a half prior to our trip.  The gradient on the first three miles is about 30 feet per mile and about 15 feet per mile thereafter.  Trees, both standing and fallen, make up the primary hazard.  When there are leaves on the trees you will be confronted with many blind turns.  Fortunately, the current is not strong in most places, but good boat control is essential.  The put-in is located on Foster Road; be respectful of this private property.

The take out is at the public launching ramp/parking lot at Lake Barnett, reached from Highway 31 just east of Gravel Hill Road.  Use Gravel Hill Road to go north to Foster Road, marked by its easily visible street sign.  Romance Road crosses the creek at about the midpoint of the trip; however, it is presently closed while a new bridge is being constructed over Bayou Des Arc.  The trip length is about six miles with the last mile being in the lake; the scenery is very nice.  Take a minute to stop on Highway 31 where large piles of dirt have been placed to keep motorists from driving off a bluff and enjoy the view over the Bayou Des Arc valley.  Below is a map showing the drainage area to watch on a rainfall summary website:

You can find the amount of rain that has fallen on the Bayou Des Arc drainage by going to the National Weather Service site and clicking on the rainfall storm total on the left side of the page.  Here’s the link:

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?rid=lzk&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no