White River (Arkansas–Missouri)

The White River is a long river.

It flows through Arkansas and Missouri. It starts in the mountains. Then it flows into the Mississippi River.

Many dams were built on the river. These dams make big lakes. People use the lakes for fun. They also use them for power.

People love to visit the lakes. Some lakes are very large. Many people go there for trips.

You can go fishing in the water. Many trout live there. It is a great place to fish.

The river is a special place to see.

The White River flows through Arkansas and Missouri. It starts in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas.

The river arcs north into Missouri. Then it turns back into Arkansas. It ends at the Mississippi River. This river is very strong. It carries a lot of water. It carries nearly as much as the Arkansas River.

People built many dams on the river. Dams are walls that hold back water. These dams make large lakes called reservoirs. These lakes help make power. They also help stop floods.

Some lakes are Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake. Bull Shoals Lake is the largest lake on the river.

Many people visit the river for fun. Fishing is very popular there. You can catch trout like rainbow or brown trout. People also fish for white bass. Many trout resorts sit near the water. The river is a great place for a trip. You can see many parts of the Ozark forest too.

The White River is a major waterway in the United States. It flows through two states named Arkansas and Missouri. The river starts in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas.

From there, it arcs north through southern Missouri. Then, it turns back into Arkansas and flows southeast. Finally, it reaches its mouth at the Mississippi River. This river is very powerful and carries a lot of water. It carries nearly as much water as the much longer Arkansas River.

As the river moves, its shape and speed change. Near Batesville, Arkansas, it enters the Mississippi River Valley. Here, the river slows down a lot. The water becomes deep enough for shallow-draft vessels to travel on it. This part is the last part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. This specific section is deeper than the rest of the river. Many smaller rivers also flow into the White River. These are called tributaries. They include the Little Red River, the Black River, and the Buffalo River.

In the 1900s, people changed much of the river. They built many large dams to control floods. These dams also create electricity and provide water for people. They also create large lakes called reservoirs for fun.

The first lake is Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas. Next is Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo in Missouri. Finally, there is Bull Shoals Lake in northern Arkansas. After Bull Shoals Dam, the river returns to its natural state. It flows through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.

Building these dams was a huge job. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built several of them. Bull Shoals Dam was built between 1947 and 1951. It cost $86 million to finish. It is the 5th largest concrete dam in the country. It holds back Bull Shoals Lake, which is the largest lake on the river. Table Rock Dam was finished in 1958 for $65 million. Beaver Dam was built between 1960 and 1966. It cost $46 million to complete. In total, eight dams hold back the upper White River.

Many people visit the White River for outdoor fun. Fishing is one of the most popular things to do. The upper parts of the river are famous for trout. You can find rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout there. People also enjoy fishing for white bass. Many trout fishing resorts sit near the water. Places like Branson and Rockaway Beach attract many tourists. The river is a very important part of life in the Ozark region.

The White River is a significant waterway in the United States. It flows through the states of Arkansas and Missouri. The river begins in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas. This area is part of the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest.

From its source, the river arcs north through southern Missouri. It then turns back into Arkansas and flows southeast. Finally, it reaches its mouth at the Mississippi River.

The river's physical characteristics change as it travels. In the beginning, it flows through mountainous regions. As it enters the Mississippi River Valley near Batesville, Arkansas, its behavior shifts. The river's speed decreases considerably in this area. The water becomes deep enough for shallow-draft vessels to navigate. This section serves as the final segment of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. This specific part of the channel is deeper than the rest of the river.

Despite being much shorter than the Arkansas River, the White River is very powerful. It carries a massive amount of water. The river normally carries a high volume of discharge. During periods of flooding, this amount can increase even more. Many smaller streams, known as tributaries, flow into the White River. These include the Little Red River, the Black River, and the Buffalo River. Other tributaries are the North Fork River, the James River, and the Roaring River.

During the 20th century, humans significantly modified the river. They constructed large dams to create artificial reservoirs. These reservoirs serve several important purposes. They provide flood control and help manage water distribution. They also generate hydroelectric power, which is electricity made from moving water. Additionally, these lakes provide space for recreation.

There are eight dams that impound the upper White River. Six of these dams are located in Arkansas and two are in Missouri.

The history of these structures involves various organizations. In 1910, Congress authorized the Ozark Power and Water Company to build a dam. They completed the Powersite Dam near Forsyth, Missouri, in 1913. This project cost $2.3 million and created Lake Taneycomo. This dam brought electricity to rural areas of the Ozark Mountains. Later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built several other major dams. These were built under the authority of the Flood Control Act of 1938.

Several specific dams and lakes define the river's upper reaches. The Beaver Dam was built between 1960 and 1966 for $46 million. It creates Beaver Lake, which is the most upstream reservoir. Table Rock Dam was completed in 1958 at a cost of $65 million. It forms Table Rock Lake, the second largest lake on the river. Bull Shoals Dam was constructed between 1947 and 1951. This project cost $86 million and created Bull Shoals Lake. Bull Shoals is the largest lake on the White River. This dam is also the 5th largest concrete dam in the United States.

The river is a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the region. The upper portions of the river are famous for trout fishing. This includes species like rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. People also enjoy fishing for white bass in these waters. Many trout fishing resorts are located near the tailwaters of Bull Shoals Lake. The river has been ranked as one of the top trout fisheries in the country. Towns like Branson, Missouri, and various settlements in Arkansas benefit from this tourism.