The Spring River is a
Description
The river has a branch, the South Fork of the Spring River, which extends into Howell County, Missouri. The South Fork of the Spring River joins the Spring River proper near the town of Hardy. Mammoth Spring is the outlet of an underground river that runs from Missouri into Arkansas. Over per hour flow out of the massive spring and forms the Spring River. Being predominantly spring fed with water averaging 58 °F (14 °C), the river is kept cool during warmer months and is suitable trout habitate for several miles.
The Spring River proper is a popular destination for tourists, canoers, and for riding inner tubes ("toobers"). A state record tiger muskie weighing 23 lb 12 oz (10.8 kg) was caught in the river in 1995. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission maintains a trout hatchery on the river and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service operates another on the river near Mammoth Spring.
Flooding
In March 2008, a vigorous, slow moving low pressure system moved out of Texas and into Arkansas inundating the area with over a foot of rain falling in some areas of Arkansas and Missouri. Heavy rainfall rates caused the river to over flow its banks with an observed maximum depth of . This river level had only been surpassed by the record 1982 floods that reached a level of 29 feet. The mayor of Hardy ordered evacuation of 250 citizens of the town because of dangerous river levels that flooded over 100 buildings in and around the Spring River.
See also
- List of Arkansas rivers