Ouachita-Black Rivers (Felsenthal Pool)

Overview

The Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project was began in 1902 and is a 337-mile long waterway. The project stretches from central Arkansas to Jonesville, Louisiana where it converges with the Tensas and Little Rivers to form the Black River.

In 1924 construction was completed on the system of six locks and dams. In later years outdated locks were replaced and presently there are four locks and dams on the waterway, each with lock chambers 84 feet wide and 600 feet in length and having from 3 to 5 tainter gates. The locks and dams have a lift of from 12 feet up to 30 feet, which provides a minimum 9-foot deep and 100-foot wide navigation channel to accommodate barge traffic from the Red River north to Camden, Arkansas.

The project also provides for a multitude of recreational opportunities with facilities spread along the entire length of the river.

The Louisiana Field Office, located in Monroe, La, manages natural resources, recreation and flood control on the Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project. Currently the Louisiana Field Office manages 23 recreation areas along the Ouachita-Black Rivers and it's tributaries, including the Boeuf River, Tensas River, Little River and the control structure at Catahoula Dam. In total there are 209 picnic sites, 169 campsites, 24 boat ramps, and 1 swimming beach.

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