Arkansas' Restored Lake Chicot a Cornerstone of Delta Tourism

April 14, 1998


Arkansas' Restored Lake Chicot
A Cornerstone of Delta Tourism
*****
By Jim Taylor, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

(Editor's Note: This is the second of a two-part series on Arkansas' largest natural lake, Lake Chicot. This installment looks at the lake's renewed use as a recreational and scenic resource.)

LAKE VILLAGE -- When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began operating the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant in 1985, the Corps was not only cleaning up a muddy lake, it was restoring a cornerstone of Southeast Arkansas tourism.

Now classified as a clear-water lake, Lake Chicot is again providing the quality fishing, boating, wildlife-viewing and other recreational opportunities for which it was famous before its waters became fouled by rainfall run-off from nearby farmlands.

Enhancing the lake's value as a vacation destination are a rich local history, numerous public improvements and special events.

Located in the flat Delta lands of Chicot County, the 20-mile-long lake is one of Arkansas' true natural wonders. A former main channel of the Mississippi River, it is the state's largest natural lake and the biggest oxbow lake in North America.

For those visiting Lake Village for the first time, the Arkansas Tourist Information Center on Lake Chicot's western shore beside U.S. Highway 65 is a good source for information on Chicot County attractions and Arkansas tourism in general. Located high over the water on pilings, the center offers a panoramic view of the lake, stretching to the north and south.

Another good starting point for appreciating area history and resources is the visitors center at the 132-acre Lake Chicot State Park, located off Arkansas Highway 144 on the lake's north end.

The center's exhibits tend to whet one's appetite for taking the self-guided levee and Civil War tours that are detailed in brochures available at the center.

The levee tour is a 30-mile drive, much of it atop the levees that now protect Lake Village and the surrounding area from Mississippi River floods. Highlights of the tour include waterfowl and wading birds in the water-filled borrow pits from which dirt for the levees was taken, the remains of a Native American mound, a site called Whiskey Chute where river pirates once roamed, and a visit to the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant.

A visitors center at the plant contains exhibits detailing the environmental tragedy that befell Lake Chicot and what the Corps did to clean it up. An interior view of the plant reveals the immensity of the pumps required to keep Lake Chicot's waters clean.

Atop the center, an expansive view provides an excellent bird watching vantage point, with numerous herons, gulls and waterfowl visible around the diversion canal below the plant.

The self-guided Civil War tour includes visits to Arkansas' only antebellum house on the National Register of Historic Places that overlooks the Mississippi River (although it's still a private residence) and to the site of the Battle of Ditch Bayou, the last major engagement of the Civil War in the state.

The battle was fought on June 6, 1864 as federal troops tried unsuccessfully to dislodge Confederate forces who had been harassing traffic on the Mississippi. It resulted in 131 Union casualties and 37 among the Confederates.

A farm house used to treat Confederates wounded during the battle is being restored to its war-time condition and will be opening soon as a privately-operated bed and breakfast.

The Civil War tour includes a statue in downtown Lake Village erected in 1910 to honor the Confederate soldiers from Chicot County. The statue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also downtown is the Jack R. Rhodes Lake Front Park, which contains a roped-off swimming area, walking path, small amphitheater, boat ramp, and several picnic pavilions.

On June 19-21, the park and surrounding area will be the site of the annual Lake Chicot Water Festival, which features U.S. Title Series hydroplane boat races, arts and crafts, food and live entertainment.

Just north of downtown, a historic marker records the site where in April, 1923, Charles Lindbergh -- who would later make the first solo transatlantic flight -- made his first nighttime flight.

Across the lake from Lake Village is the site of the Sunnyside Plantation, which in the late 1880s was home to many Italian immigrants, some of whom went on to found the Tontitown community in Northwest Arkansas. A number of their descendants still reside in the Lake Village area.

Additional information on these and other Lake Village attractions, including restaurants and accommodations, is available from the Lake Village Chamber of Commerce at (870) 265-5997.

In addition to the levee and Civil War tours, Lake Chicot State Park hosts a number of special events throughout the year. Guided barge tours for wildlife and sunset viewing are available through much of the spring and summer.

On April 17-19, the park will be the site of the Primitive Ways Rendezvous, which will feature living-history demonstrations of 1800's frontier skills. More than 100 species of birds are expected to be counted on the park's Big Birding Day on May 2. On August 14-16, guided field trips will be conducted to search for early migratory birds and birds rare to the area.

Conducting many of the park's activities is Don Simons, the park's interpreter since 1983. Simons, a past president of the Arkansas Audubon Society and author of a forthcoming book on the Civil War, is a valuable source for those interested in birding or history.

The state park has 127 campsites and 14 cabin units (seven duplexes) located in a pleasant grove of large pecan trees. Several of the cabins are currently being renovated, including the addition of fireplaces. Cabins may be reserved by calling 1-800-264-2430. For other information on the park, its barge tours and special events call (870) 265-5480.

The park has a store well-stocked with camping and fishing supplies, a marina, a 25-meter swimming pool, laundry facilities, a tree-shaded picnic area with tables, grills and water, and two reservable group pavilions. Fishing boats are available for rent and personal craft may be launched for free at the park.

Another of the park's highlights is the Delta Woodlands Trail, a level, one-mile loop through bottomland woods. A wide variety of woodpeckers, sparrows, thrushes and 30 species of warblers have been seen along the trail.

The park and the lake in general feature excellent bank fishing. Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass frequent the cypresses, willows, buckbrush, dead timber and docks along its shores. In the lake's open waters, anglers seek out striped bass feeding on schools of shad.

Because of its southern location, prime fishing on Lake Chicot usually begins earlier in the spring than on Arkansas' other major lakes.

Located on the lake's east shore is the Chicot County Park, a good site for those with RVs. It features full hook-ups, concrete pads and unlimited stays. However, the county park is frequently full and reservations are generally needed. The county park can be reached at (870) 265-3500.

For those who enjoy festivals, Dermott, 15 minutes north of Lake Village, will hold its 15th annual Crawfish Festival on May 15-16. Included will be cooked crawfish, dancing, a 5K run and a crafts show. For additional information contact Jeff Dunn at (870) 538-5233.

On June 5-7, McGehee, 21 miles north of Lake Village, will host its third annual Natural Fest. It will include a fish fry, barbecue, arts and crafts, an air show, carnival and live entertainment. For additional information contact the McGehee Chamber of Commerce at (870) 222-4451.

Though there is much to see and do in Chicot County, simply relaxing at Lake Chicot State Park offers charms of its own.

Standing on a park fishing pier watching a line of calling ducks fly past against the flaming glory of a Delta sunset, it is easy to forget the troubles that little more than a decade ago threatened the life of Arkansas' largest natural lake.
 

Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]

May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"