1969 –
The Arkansas Legislature passed Act 217 making the Arkansas Natural Resources
Commission responsible for water planning at the state level and
the development of the first Arkansas State Water Plan. Since its completion
and publication in 1975, the plan has served as a guide for efficient
development of land and water resources.
1985 – Due to
the ever-changing nature and severity of water resource problems, the
Legislature enacted Act 1051 directing the Commission to update the plan so it
will remain a valid and reliable document addressing current issues. The most
recent data and extensive research will guide planning objectives and potential
solutions.
PAST – Years
use of Arkansas' abundant ground and surface water has seemed negligible. But,
growing demands lowered ground water levels and threatened to degrade the
quality and limit quantity of this most important life sustaining resource.
PRESENT –
Identified problems and potential solutions rapidly change with current data.
Latest information shows that in the last twenty years, the use of surface and
ground water resources has multiplied significantly – due to the increase in
irrigated land. Population growth and economic expansion have also contributed
to the problem.
FUTURE –
Projections indicate requirements for surface and ground water will more than
double again by the year 2020. Therefore, careful planning and management is
essential to assure continued availability of quality surface and ground water.
This will be accomplished by identifying and evaluating water problems and
presenting specific solutions and recommendations to meet future water needs.
The Arkansas State Water Plan,
in accordance with Acts 217 of 1969 and 1051 of 1985, consists of twelve
basin reports and an executive summary. The general outline of the reports
is:
General Description
Land Resource Inventory
(Land Use & Soil Resources)
Surface Water
(Quantity, Quality, Problems, & Solutions and Recommendations)
Ground Water
(Geology, Hydrology, Quality, Problems,
& Solutions and Recommendations)
Contact: Water
Management
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 350
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-3985 Fax (501) 682-3991
E-mail: steve.loop@arkansas.gov
Arkansas State Water Plans PDF Documents:
Arkansas River Basin
Boeuf-Tensas Basin
Boeuf-Tensas Basin
Supplement
Eastern Arkansas Basin
Grand Prairie Agricultural Water Supply - Special Report
Lower Ouachita Basin
Red River Basin Above
Fulton
Red River Basin Below
Fulton
Upper Ouachita Basin
Upper White River Basin
Water Plan Executive
Summary
ANRC Homepage
