ROGERS, Ark. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beaver Lake Project Office is permanently removing swim beaches at Rocky Branch and Lost Bridge South campgrounds because of erosion, safety and maintenance issues, and user conflicts due to high-water levels over the last decade. These areas will remain open for shoreline access.
USACE encourages the public to visit any one of the 10 other swim beaches at Beaver Lake located at Rocky Branch Day Use Area, Hickory Creek, Horseshoe Bend Campground, Indian Creek, Prairie Creek, War Eagle, Horseshoe Bend Day Use Area, Lost Bridge North, Dam Site Cut-Off Wall and Dam Site Lake.
The Rocky Branch swim beach, located on a peninsula, has become increasingly difficult to maintain because of constant exposure to wind and waves. The steep, rocky shoreline and concrete wall at the back of the beach create unsafe conditions for visitors, leading to injuries.
The ongoing, resource-intensive maintenance needed to keep the beach operational is inefficient and costly, making it unsustainable compared to safer cost-
effective swim areas at Beaver Lake.
Fluctuations in water levels at Lost Bridge South submerge the parking lot, causing visitors to park in roadways and campsites designated for other guests.
The proximity of campsites to the swim beach prevents park rangers from extending the buoy lines, resulting in overcrowding and conflicts with campers and submerged swim cables and electrical sites pose serious safety hazards.
To check the status of other swim beaches at Beaver Lake contact the Beaver Lake Project Office at 479-636-1210 or visit https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Home/swim-beaches/.