DARDANELLE, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District announces that beginning March 1, Riverview Park near Dardanelle, Arkansas will reopen as a day-use area only.
USACE closed Riverview Park during the historic spring flood of 2019 after high Arkansas River flows engulfed the park causing widespread damage that required extensive repairs.
USACE has made numerous repairs to the park since the 2019 flood. All campsites destroyed during the flood have been reconstructed as day-use only sites with new picnic tables and canopies. No fees will be charged for the day-use area. Bank stabilization work was completed to re-armor the riverbank and provide protection for the lower parking lot. The bank separating the upper and lower portion of the park has been completely overhauled to pre-flood conditions and the asphalt erosion and buckling in the lower parking lot has been repaired and is now safe for vehicle traffic.
The area directly downstream from the Dardanelle Powerhouse will remain closed to the public.
Over the years, the area directly downstream from the Dardanelle Powerhouse has been a popular area for anglers because of its proximity to the tailrace of the powerhouse.
However, because of slope instability the area will remain closed to the public until further notice.
Extensive damage and erosion occurred in this area along the bank that supports the switchyard and directly next to the powerhouse structure.
Rehabilitation efforts to protect the switchyard following the 2019 flood resulted in an increase of riprap being placed to protect the bank downstream of the powerhouse, which has drastically increased the bank slope and presents a public safety issue.
Because of the safety issues requiring USACE to close the area, access and fishing closer than 150 yards below the Dardanelle Powerhouse will not be allowed until the area can be made safe for foot traffic.
USACE’s intentions since the flood has been to restore the bank in a manner to make it accessible, and to provide an access area that would be safe for all recreational users, including anglers. However, USACE lacks funding to perform additional work required to stabilize the rock slope in this area to a point of it being safe for access.
Currently there is no time frame for updated repairs. If funds become available USACE intends to reestablish safe access to the area.
For more information, please contact the Russellville Site Office at 501-340-1762.