Servicing Fourche Creek Catchment -- Little Rock, Arkansas

An Arkansas Master Naturalist Initiative

Project Initiative

Servicing the Fourche Creek Catchment through volunteer efforts regarding litter and trash extraction, streambank and riparian restoration, education and outreach.

Arkansas Master Naturalists is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, volunteering to keep Arkansas in its Natural State

Effort 1 - Litter and Trash Extraction

For the period November 2020 - October 2024, the Arkansas Master Naturalists, central chapter (CAMN), and Friends of Fourche Creek (FoFC) have extracted 34,500 pounds (17.25 tons) of litter and trash, 56% from two 100' trash booms, 44% from the 1,800 acres within the Fourche Bottoms wetland.

Effort 2 - Streambank Restoration

Due to increased urbanization within the far reaches of the catchment concrete, asphalt, and rooftops are dominating the landscape and changing the hydrology and therefore the downstream channel geometry. Many miles of stream banks are failing.

Effort 3 - Riparian Restoration

Three Little Rock Parks and Recreation golf courses within the Fourche Creek catchment were recently closed. CAMN plans to work with LRPR and AGFC Stream Team in restoring the riparian corridor in these parks. Click this hyperlink to view the 2021 AGFC Spatial Evaluation of Stream and Riparian Corridors within City of Little Rock Parks report.

Effort 4 - Education and Outreach

CAMN is involved in numerous public education and outreach programs in the community. We host guided floats through Fourche Creek educating citizens of all ages and promoting environmental sustainability.

Fourche Creek Catchment

108,800 acres
57,000 acres (53%) within the Little Rock city limits
73% of LR's landscape drains into Fourche Creek or tributary of
During a typical rainstorm, Fourche Bottoms (1,800-acre wetland) stores up to 1 billion gallons of water, or 1,515 Olympic-size swimming pools

The Creek and catchment provide valuable ecological services for the City:
- - Water purification
  - Floodwater storage
  - Urban noise reduction
  - Air and water filtration
  - Wildlife habitat
  - Recreation and wildlife viewing

Fourche Bottoms

An intact 1,800-acre, city-owned, tract of bottomland hardwoods
One of the largest urban wetlands in the country
It could be one of the largest city parks in the Nation -- "Fourche Creek Park"
Yet, it goes largely unnoticed by residents
Access is limited by housing, commercial and industrial development

Amenities are few
- - Only one foot trail, so far
  - Two boat ramps serve the 4.7 mile Arkansas Game and Fish Commission "Fourche Creek Water Trail"
  - Flooding, floatable trash, dumping, and log jams can interfere with a float